Ground floor of the mill when we first gained access
Seems hard to believe but it was exactly 3 years ago this weekend that this website was started, when Denise, Joe and Lisa collected the keys for the old factory mill on Stanhope Street that was to become Oxheys Mill Studios and started the collective.
Armed with mops and buckets, a kettle, copious supplies of coffee and masses of enthusiasm, the three artists set about trying to transform the old place into what they hoped would become a popular arts venue in Preston where local artists could show work and try out ideas that might not otherwise be seen.
After several months of scrubbing, cleaning and painting, the doors finally opened in August 2011 for the very first Open exhibition. Since then, a total of 24 different exhibitions have been organised to date, providing opportunities to more than 100 different artists and attracting audiences averaging between 70-80 visitors at preview events alone. A variety of other events include workshops, life drawing sessions, live theatre, music and performance events have also been held.
Oxheys has also participated in several events in Preston including MAPS Festival, Tringe, Lite Night, Guild and a UCLan Art Trail and has worked on collaborations with UCLan, ArtLab Contemporary Print Studios, Lancashire Artists Network, DverCity, Korova Arts Cafe and Bluestreak Arts. We also hosted the BIPP National Photography exhibition in 2012.
Have we achieved the aim we started out with? We hope so but there is still much more we want to do.
Have you been to an event at Oxheys? Please leave your comments and tell us how we did.