In the early 19th century the buildings echoed with the hammering of coopers constructing casks and barrels to be filled with victuals – provisions – for Britain’s mighty navy.
But following an ambitious renovation programme, the old cooperage at the Royal William Victualling Yard in Plymouth has been transformed into Ocean Studios, a new home for artists and a much-needed exhibition space in a corner of the UK that can sometimes feel a long way from the cultural hubs.
More than 40 artists, designers and craftspeople are moving into the Grade I-listed building on the Devon city’s historic waterfront and the first exhibition, featuring work by the likes of Gillian Wearing, Mary Kelly and Grayson Perry, is to be launched on Thursday 30 July.
The hope is that the project will give a boost to Devon’s artistic community, which has long been overshadowed by Cornwall’s St Ives and Newlyn schools to the west and Bristol’s underground scene to the north – and help regenerate this dockyard area in the same way as the Turner Contemporary is reviving the seaside town of Margate in Kent.
Another intriguing element is that at a time when there has been criticism of leadership in the arts being dominated by men, two women, Leigh Mason and Jennifer Jayarajah, are directors of the community interest company behind Ocean Studios.
Mason and Jayarajah admit eyebrows have been raised that they have overseen the renaissance of the wonderful buildings. “Some people certainly do seem anxious about two women being in charge of a project like this,” said Jayarajah. “It has taken time for people to trust us.”
The setting, in truth, could not be more macho. Ocean Studios is just down the road from Stonehouse Barracks, a home of the Royal Marines. The Victualling Yard, which once included huge bakery, brewery and slaughterhouse to re-stock naval vessels off to campaigns feels like a male sort of place. Even the building materials here – vast chunks of Plymouth limestone – have a masculine air.
But the opening exhibition – called A Taste of Things to Come - will highlight key themes including feminism, diversity, radicalism and social engagement – hence the pieces by the likes of Mary Kelly, dubbed the mother of feminist artists, and Gillian Wearing. There will also be a brand new piece called Bronze Skin by the Turner Prize-winning sculptor Richard Deacon, who studied at Plymouth College.
The directors are keen to make this an accessible place not just for art lovers but for those who would struggle to name a contemporary artist. They are planning to work with Plymouth residents, ranging from school children to ex-offenders, and there will be short courses and chances to see the artists at work.
Jayarajah said: “We want to challenge the notion that art is for an elite and to welcome everyone to Ocean Studios. We want to have more people feeling that the arts are meaningful to them.”
The project has cost about £4m with around three-quarters of that public money. The European regional development fund and the city council have both invested heavily. That the local authority is prepared to invest at a time of deep cuts suggests it believes the arts can provide an economic as well as a cultural fillip.
Tudor Evans, the leader of Plymouth city council, said: “This project is really close to my heart and is something we have wanted to see here for a long time.”
Evans said there was a growing creative sector in Plymouth. “This has so much potential – the studios will help keep creative talent here, contribute to a dynamic and lively city as well as create over 100 jobs and inspire local people. What’s more it’s in an amazing building within a stunning location.”
Devon still tends to be bypassed by art lovers heading to Cornwall and artists who study in Plymouth often move away once they have graduated.
But more than 400 artists expressed an interest in taking space at Ocean Studios. There will be glassmakers, silversmiths, printmakers and photographers here. A Swiss couple – she a ceramicist, he a fine artist, sailed into the city, berthed their boat in the marina and have taken a studio.
Sir Nicholas Serota, director of the Tate, which has a thriving outpost in St Ives, sees Ocean Studios as a positive addition to art in the south west. “The provision of studios and exhibition space at the Royal William Yard will help to ensure that artists are attracted to and stay in the city,” he said.
Tessa Jane, a textile artist and teacher at a specialist art college in Plymouth, had her first look at her studio – all exposed stone walls and chunky wooden floors. She was thrilled at the space and the diversity of artists who would be working together at Ocean Studios. “There are so many different sorts of people here. It’s an element that really excites me. Plus there’s a great feeling of history here. I can’t wait to get started.”
- Ocean Studios is launched on 30 July and there will be a public opening and family day on Saturday 1 August.