Wasps opened Cannonwalls and Claverhouse in 2010. For the previous eight years, we had wanted to deliver a studio facility in Dumfries and Galloway given the high demand in the region.
Both the Cannonwalls and Claverhouse buildings sit in Kirkcudbright’s historic High Street, close to the Tolbooth Arts Centre and near neighbour to the Selkirk Arms Hotel, where Robert Burns reputedly wrote his famous “Selkirk grace”:
Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.
14 artist spaces
disabled access
Wasps was drawn to Kirkcudbright due to its reputation as an ‘Artists Town’, one of several themed towns in Dumfries & Galloway, complementing Wigtown as the ‘Book Town’ and Castle Douglas as the ‘Food Town’.
It is home to historical buildings such as the Tolbooth and the 16th century remains of MacLellan’s Castle. The surrounding landscape has long attracted artists – distinguished practitioners lived in the town such as E.A. Hornel (whose former home is now a National Trust property); Jessie M. King and her husband, E.A. Taylor; and Charles Oppenheimer. It was also the summer haunt of visiting creatives such as Scottish Colourist S.J. Peploe, and Head of Painting at ECA, Robert Burns.
Launched in late 2010, the artists based there have frequently held popular events both within the building and the town. Cannonwalls and Claverhouse is surrounded by local galleries that play host to the town’s local contemporary artists.
being a wasps tenant
With over 40 years worth of expertise, we are the UK’s largest provider of studio space for artists and creative industries.
Tenants of the Wasps community receive the following benefits:
- An inclusive rent for artists
- Studio security – all our buildings are either owned or on long term rentals across the estate
- 24/7 access all year round (excluding hot-desking memberships)
- Being part of our community of almost 1,000 artists and creatives based in 20 buildings across Scotland
- Ability to join the Own Art scheme through Wasps – Own Art allows for an artist’s clients to spread the cost of an artwork priced from £100 to £25,000 over 10 months with no interest. Using Own Art can help you close that extra sale – turning a £500 artwork into a more affordable proposition of £50 per month, for example
- Support and expertise from Wasps’ staff
- Promotion on the Wasps website (receiving tens of thousands of visitors per month) with an self-managed artist profile and shop through the community page
- Access to the Wasps Tenant Portal – an exclusive online platform for tenants to find out about updates and opportunities from across the network
- Exhibiting and selling opportunities through our arts programme including exhibitions across the network, discounted rates for market stalls, Open Studios events and inclusion in art fairs
accessibility & getting here
accessibility
Ground floor level is fully accessible. Visitors with disabilities to first floor may need some assistance as there is no lift.
address
Cannonwalls and Claverhouse
117 High Street
Kirkcudbright
Dumfries and Galloway
DG6 4JG
getting here
The studios are closely located to the town centre. Travelling from the bus stop at Harbour Square head southwest onto Beaconsfield Place before walking to your left towards St Cuthbert Street. Turn right onto St Cuthbert Street. Turn left onto Castle Street and walk until you reach High Street where you will turn left. The studios will be on the right.
