About

Oxheys is evolving

Oxheys Mill Studios was set up by 3 Preston-based artists in 2011 as a response to the closing of PAD Gallery, with the aim of providing affordable studio spaces along with exhibition opportunities for artists working locally.

During the 6 years we were based at Oxheys mill, with no funding we:

• organised 37 exhibitions
• hosted 27 resident artists in studios
• hosted 3 artist residencies
• collaborated with 17 creative organisations
• exhibited work from 111 local artists
• hosted 8 talks & workshops from professional artists
• welcomed over 3777 visitors
• ran 14 arts-related events including theatre, live music, poetry and creative writing as well as visual arts

The mill was the former ARM factory on Stanhope Street, which operated as a factory for over 40 years, owned by twice former mayor of Preston Cllr Albert Richardson. A great supporter of the arts, Albert kindly made the mill available to us at a low rent as an experiment. Over the ensuing years he was a firm and proud supporter, never missing an event and often bringing his fellow Preston councillors along.

In March 2017 the old mill was sold as Albert’s health was starting to fail. He sadly passed away late 2018. Albert Richardson

We may have lost our studios and project space but we didn’t shut down. We have evolved into a peripatetic arts collective, now known simply as Oxheys. We have successfully applied for Arts Council funding for Making A Mark in Preston and we organise events and arts activities as and when opportunities arise. We remember our old friend and his support in the Albert Richardson Memorial Portfolio which we set up in 2019.

For details of our future activities, events and interventions, do join our Oxheys mailing list or follow us on Twitter.