Artists at the Old Town Quarry
Impact of the Closure
In September 2023, the Quarry closed following health and safety concerns, forcing its community of artists to leave their studios. This sudden loss disrupted livelihoods and silenced the creative heartbeat of the site.
The closure also led to the permanent loss of the blacksmith trade within Weston’s town boundary, and the closure of one of the few operational kilns of its kind in the country. Many artists continue to struggle to find suitable and affordable alternatives, highlighting the urgent need for dedicated creative workspaces in the area.
Beyond individual impact, the loss has been felt across the wider community — in education, tourism, and the local economy. The Quarry had long contributed to Weston’s cultural offer and sense of place, providing a space where art, heritage, and community converged.
Photo by Civic Society.
Why It Was Important to Secure and Restore the Quarry
Weston-super-Mare Town Council has worked towards giving the community back a dynamic hub for culture, creativity, and enterprise — a place to restore, expand, and reimagine for artists to work, collaborate, and inspire.
Thanks to support from the Community Ownership Fund, Weston-super-Mare Town Council has been able to:
- Refurbish existing studios and the café, redesigning the main building to meet modern standards while retaining its historic character.
- Construct new, sustainably built wooden studios within the surrounding woodland — offering more artists affordable, accessible spaces to create (now home to Weston Artspace) — along with a new learning hub for community use.
- Develop gallery spaces, both indoors and outdoors, where artists can exhibit and sell their work.
- Establish open studio days and community events that invite the public to engage directly with local makers.
- Introduce an incubation studio for emerging artists and graduates, helping to nurture new creative careers.
The Artists at the Quarry
