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Derbyshire Open Arts is an annual art event on the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May. Individuals and groups organise their own studios and venues but join together under one banner. Artists and crafts people open their studios to the public or exhibit with others in a combined venue such as a village hall or art gallery. It gives visitors an opportunity to see the breadth of art that is created in Derbyshire, to meet the creators, and to purchase or commission works directly from the maker. We’ve compiled a list of Banks Mill Members who will be taking part in this year’s event and where to find them.

Catch up on the latest good news stories, events to watch out for and new offerings from our tenants and members and as they continue to produce fresh work and branch out into exciting new areas.

We have now opened applications for University of Derby students and recent graduates to apply for a 12 month studio space, rent free!

We catch up with one of our newest members, Jim Cork of Explore Studio. Jim is a graphic designer, illustrator, brand & web designer and also works in audio production. After moving in a month ago he’s hit the ground running, bringing a splash brightness to his studio on the top floor and throwing himself into a variety of new projects.

Scott Trelfa is the owner and maker behind Stage Left Lux, a Handmade bespoke feature lighting business made from upcycled & repurposed materials, as well as vintage lighting repairs & restoration.

Ben and Ross, the duo behind Dice Ideas have just returned from their residency in the beautiful holiday destination of the Fari islands in the Maldives. Dice ideas were invited by the hotel resort Patina, to take up residency in March 2024. We asked the guys how they got on and how the experience has impacted their business.

New tenant Lucy Mills is off to a fantastic start here at Banks Mill. Lucy is an experienced teacher and lover of arts, crafts and heritage. Having spent 20 years teaching in schools in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Lucy saw that pupil’s opportunities for creativity and to experience different art forms had become increasingly limited.

Banks Mill tenant Dawn Wesselby, along with her creative partner Anne-Marie Kerr, set up Grantham Arts as a Community Interest Company. Grantham Arts are looking to provide not only classes in creativity but the space and equipment that people can hire to create their own work, often after completing creative short courses.

The Arts Enterprise Challenge, run by Banks Mill and Derby University’s Enterprise and Incubation is now open to all Creative Arts students from the University of Derby.

In Memory Of…Mark Gordon