In partnership with Creative Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Wasps was able to redevelop the former Stromness Library, which had lain dormant since the library moved to new premises in 2011. Wasps’ Stromness Studios officially opened in October 2016 and is the creative home to a small group of artists, including the Soulisquoy Printmakers. A stone’s throw away you can find the Pier Arts Centre and the Stromness Marina.

5 artist spaces
disabled access

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

There is a ramp at the entrance of the building leading to the ground floor. Unfortunately, there is no lift access to the first floor.

address

Stromness Studios
1 Hellihole Road
Stromness
Orkney
KW16 3DE

getting here

From Stromness Harbour, turn left and walk along Dundas Street past Pier Arts Centre. Stromness Studios is at the bottom of Hellihole Road. There are buses every 40 minutes from Kirkwall to Stromness Harbour.

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