Artists to be rehoused after plans to demolish Eden Street studio

A COLLECTIVE of Kingston artists now seek to be rehoused after news that their building now faces closure and demolition in mid 2018 to allow extensions to Eden Walk.

The 30 local artists inside the Fusion Arts Creative Center have approximately nine months left in the building before Kingston Council initiates development on the site in July.

Resident artist Irina Starkova, 30, said: “The council have promised us to look into alternative spaces but with rising rent prices and lack of clarity we are not in a position where we know what will happen to us.”

“It’s a real shame that councils aren’t doing more to protect the creative arts in their areas, because they contribute so much to society and the community here.”

Situated on Eden Street, the Fusion Arts building has provided studio space to creatives that include painters, photographers, fashion designers, milliners and filmmakers, ranging from recent graduates to senior artists.

The council aim to utilize the space as part of the Eden Walk regeneration project, claiming it will be a beneficial development towards defining Kingston as a dominant retail destination.

In a recent press release, councilor Kevin Davis recalled the decision as a way to help the town grow and prosper, however this decision will impact the lives of the residing artists.

Painter Jon Roberton, 80, said: "Fusion Arts is effectively a charity. It keeps creative people from the confines of derelict attics and basements and it should be replaced somehow.”

Roberton has painted at Fusion Arts for eight years, and notes he has made multiple close friends in the building who he will now struggle to maintain contact with.

One of these friends includes abstract painter Stewart Ganley, who has also honed his profession at Fusion Arts for significant time.

Ganley states: “I think one of the big advantages to working in a studio like this is that you get to meet other people who you can get advice from. I think if we had to move out we would probably lose contact with these people.”

On November 14th a ‘state of the borough’ debate will be held at Kingston council to discuss how Kingston’s creativity can be harnessed to improve the lives of the surrounding community.

Organised by Kingston Council representatives, the rehousing of the artists on the site will be discussed at the debate.

Full interviews with the Fusion team will be released shortly.

Sign up and voice your concerns via https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=137&MId=8345.