Patriothall Studios, Edinburgh
Patriothall Studios
48A Hamilton Place
Stockbridge
Edinburgh EH3 5AY
Patriothall Studios and Gallery lies in the heart of Stockbridge in Edinburgh. A former bakery, the building has great character and now houses 52 studios for 61 artists over 3 floors. Wasps owns the building so thankfully the workspaces are secure for many years to come.
Patriothall Gallery is a successful artist-run space on the ground floor entrance to the building. It is hired out at very low rates to encourage high usage by emerging artists and local community groups and is one of the few venues of its kind in the capital. For more details about the gallery and the latest programme please visit www.patriothallgallery.co.uk.
A brief history of Patriothall Studios
Wasps had leased Patriothall Studios since 1984 but when the lease was due to expire in 2005 without an option to renew, it seemed inevitable that the studios would be lost forcing 55 artists out of their workspace.
Edinburgh’s property market was (and still is!) characterized by high rents, high property values and fierce competition for available buildings. We therefore struggled for many years to find a replacement studio building for Patriothall.
However, a breakthrough came in 2003 when the building owners finally agreed to sell the Patriothall building to Wasps at market value. We then set out to raise £1.3 million within a short space of time to buy and refurbish the building.
Meanwhile, the artist tenants had galvanized widespread community and political support for Patriothall through an effective ‘Save the Studios’ campaign. This extensive lobbying helped to persuade the City of Edinburgh Council to award £500,000 towards the purchase of the property in 2003.
The local authority’s support helped Wasps to leverage in an additional £813,000 in partnership funding from the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, and loan finance. We were then able to buy and renovate Patriothall Studios in 2004, securing the future of the studios.
Wasps Artists' Open Studios Weekend 2009: An exhibition of the artists' work will take place in Patriothall Gallery. there will be a preview event on Friday 25th September 2009 between 6-8pm. The exhibition will be open from Saturday 26th September to Monday 4th October 12pm - 5pm.
Directions
29 bus from Princes Street to Hamilton Place or 10 minute walk from Princes Street. On Hamilton Place, walk through the vennel next to Alldays - opposite Stockbridge library - to locate the building entrance.
City Centre location. Car parking situated on King Street (pay and display)
Accessibility
There is lift access to the upper floors but visitors with disability may require assistance.
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