Studio 17 – Holding Space for Art, Memory and Shared Practice

What does it mean to have a place where art is not only made, but lived? How does a shared studio shape the way people think, create, and relate to one another? And what happens when a space becomes part workshop, part social environment, and part archive of lived experience?

Studio 17 in Loughborough offers one response to these questions. Emerging in the mid-1990s from a small group of artists connected to the Albert Street Artist Day Centre, it has grown into a sustained, working studio that continues to support artists at different stages of their journeys.

What becomes clear in this conversation is that Studio 17 is not defined by a single artistic style or discipline. Drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed-media practices sit alongside each other, often overlapping. The space itself reflects this plurality. It is described as open, sometimes busy, occasionally overwhelming, but also responsive. Artists develop a sensitivity to one another’s presence, adjusting between conversation and quiet concentration, forming what one participant describes as a shared rhythm.

This sense of rhythm extends beyond the practicalities of making art. It speaks to a collective way of working that balances independence with mutual support. Artists borrow materials, exchange advice, and respond to each other’s work. For some, this environment provides motivation and structure, particularly when personal circumstances make it difficult to sustain creative practice alone.

At the centre of the episode is the “Remembering 30 Years” exhibition, a retrospective that attempts to capture the evolving identity of the studio. The exhibition brings together work from current members alongside pieces by founding artists, some of whom are no longer living. This introduces a different dimension to the studio’s role. It is not only a site of production but also one of preservation.

Handling artworks from past members becomes an act of remembrance. There is a recognition that artistic practice is tied to personal histories, and that without deliberate care, these histories risk being lost. The exhibition therefore operates as both a celebration and a form of stewardship, ensuring that the contributions of earlier artists remain visible within the present community.

For individual artists, Studio 17 also represents a point of return or transition. Some describe coming back to art after periods of absence, rediscovering their practice within a supportive environment. Others speak about developing confidence, moving from informal participation to exhibitions, or even progressing into further study. The studio becomes a place where artistic identity is not fixed but continuously formed.

The conversation also highlights how art is understood within this context. It is not primarily framed in terms of commercial success or recognition. Instead, there is an emphasis on process, enjoyment, and personal meaning. As one artist reflects, making art is about “enjoying the moments,” rather than producing work for sale. This orientation shapes the culture of the studio, positioning it as a space of exploration rather than competition.

There is also an intergenerational quality to the practice. Artists bring different experiences, influences, and motivations, from formal training to self-directed learning. Knowledge circulates informally, through observation, conversation, and shared activity. This reinforces the idea that learning in such spaces is ongoing and situated, rather than structured or institutional.

Looking ahead, the studio continues to evolve. Plans for future exhibitions, including seasonal and thematic shows, suggest an ongoing commitment to collective activity. At the same time, there is an openness to new forms of work, including installation and more experiential approaches, indicating that the studio is not static but responsive to changing artistic interests.

Studio 17, then, can be understood as more than a physical location. It is a social and creative infrastructure that supports participation, sustains artistic practice, and maintains a continuity between past and present. It demonstrates how shared spaces can enable people to make sense of their experiences through art, while also contributing to a wider, collective story.

In this sense, the studio holds together multiple layers of activity: making, learning, remembering, and connecting. Each of these elements reinforces the others, creating a place where art is not only produced, but embedded within everyday life.