An art studio as a community hub

Since I started this thing that I called AndyKnillArt in 2017 I have enjoyed the freedom to share things I have done, tried, succeeded with, failed at in social media posts, blog posts, articles, conversations with people.

That freedom comes from my own openness with aspects of my life that developed when I was a teacher about parenthood, ideas that sparked my interest, events that were happening around the physical or human world, my mental health.

We moved to Purbeck in 2016 and full time into Swanage in 2020. In that time this has become my Home. I feel at ease here that previous places have not done so. I have developed a range of links and friendships, something I didn’t always do as work dominated and there I was a different age to many of my colleagues.

I enjoy talking with people, sometimes I probably overshare and I do have to learn to listen and give shorter answers – this has helped when interviewed on radio or filmed. Being a representative of the art in the place that I am gives me a platform and of course there are often many questions about the art but also Swanage or Purbeck or in previous years Wareham.

My brain is good at storing facts and my own interests in outdoor activity and the local landscape and coast means that I can answer many queries often asked by visitors. We have joked about the fact that I am like an additional branch of tourist information.

Now that I have the sole studio / shop what I can share is my choice. My landlord runs art sessions and has some of the front window to advertise that, I also pass on information and have fliers to share. I am often asked about art classes – beyond Art for fun I don’t presume to offer such things, yes I will draw with people and I will share technique ideas with fineliners / ProMarkers because they are what I know but I have such a limited art experience; so I now have posters / fliers for the two art clubs in town and I share this information.

I instigated the dogfriendly.social link in 2021 with the Weymouth founders as I like welcoming dogs and their owners into my store as I had done when running an open studio from 2017 to 2019 up on Houns Tout. I want more people to know what the central area of Swanage offers and I could just advertise my own shop, but we are a community and we offer a range of experiences so ‘The heart of Swanage ‘ idea endures and I hope to do more with this in 2022 but it requires different businesses coming together. I will always direct visitors to cafes, streets, shops even if other artists as I would prefer to be remembered as a helpful and friendly artist than someone whose focus was solely self centred.

I volunteered online in 2021 to be an RNLI ambassador and share the messages re water safety etc as I am very aware with my daily weather checks and own experience of water sports in Swanage Bay how safety is important. I have just put my name forward to act as an ambassador of sorts for Swanage well-being network and making people aware of activities that might help people. I already share about mental health and Swanage Depression Support group.

I am now offering to be a year round hub for Purbeck Art Weeks to raise visitor awareness of who we include. I have already become the Swanage hub for brochure distribution – again I am keen to bring more people into contact with PAW and how art locally happens in so many ways.

So, what has this post been trying to do? I think I want to be an open source of information where I can help visitors. I like to sit outside where weather allows, I wear my funny outfits, I love that I have this opportunity to make art and share my love of it but also my love of where I now live. If my experiences can help others then I want to share. As I have said many times, yes selling my art is lovely, if I could leave one legacy with my art it would be that I encouraged others of all ages to try it and have fun with it – I don’t do it for a financial reward, it is genuinely the love of sharing the joy of having fun.

Thanks to those who have asked me things and commented on my helpfulness. If you have liked my art and / or bought some thank you too.

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