Space

I have nothing but good words to say about Space. I have have had a shared studio space here for the last 2 years and have loved it. The space is awesome, so many windows!
They have great social gatherings, Christmas parties, training opportunities and the Open Studios was really successful.
The rent is really reasonable and location really easy to get to.

A star of the Hackney art scene and also one of the first galleries to pop up in the area. SPACE is both an entertainer of art-​hunters like myself; as well as a supporter of UK talent through its studios and its charity. Prominently placed on the busy Mare Street, it’s a very easy find for visitors to the area due to the fact that practically every bus visiting Hackney has to pass by.
In as much as it’s possible for a gallery in Hackney’s comparatively embryonic art scene to have a history, this place has one: it was founded in 1968 by the artists Bridget Riley, Peter Sedgley and Peter Townsend. They have a wide range of creatives on their roster, from new local artists to Turner prize nominees, so I’d definitely advise getting on their mailing list if your tastes in contemporary art are diverse and you like to get a feel of who is coming up the ranks.
I went a while ago to see a show called Painted Deserts by Caroline Christie and Bobby Lloyd. It was a very sad and touching affair, documenting all of the nascent artistic and other grassroots communities that were going to get bulldozed out of existence in time for 2012. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not a seething anti-​corporate type by any stretch of the imagination, but there’s a way of doing things without destroying an area’s character. To me this show echoed that sentiment.
They are also one of the few galleries I’ve come across locally that have easy to find and reliable weekday opening hours too. Shame they (and many other galleries) don’t do Sundays.
Monday — Friday 10am — 5pm
Saturday 12 — 4pm
Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays

Space Studios’ mission is to provide artists with some ‘space to create’ by offering affordable studio space for innovative and emerging artists. It provides a dynamic space and community that is always ready to offer support.
It also offers a variety of media & training opportunities and a big exhibition space. Space has a great reputation for supporting artists at their beginnings and help them create a name for themselves. Artists such as Bridget Riley, Mark Wallinger, Chila Burman, and Peter Sedgley are just a few of the artists who were able to use Space Studios during their early hey-​days.
The space itself it is great and very bright. It often hosts exhibitions from the artists which are always worth a look. I once came here for a big, fundraising opening and it was great. There was music, djs, Mexican and Spanish food and drinks aplenty.
If you are an aspiring or emerging artist needing to spread your wings and find a decent studio space, this is definitely a place worth considering.

East London Printmakers is a professional studio in Hackney. You can take short courses, or book time in to use the facilities. The studio is called the ‘Space’ and is in the same block as other artistic agencies.
You can do etching, linoleum, fabric, screen and dry point printing in the studio.
If you have previously done a course here you can book studio space in three hour slots on Thursdays and Saturdays for £12. Book early to avoid disappointment as the places go quickly. If you haven’t used the studio before, there is a £20 induction.
You do not need all your own equipment as you can hire tools and products from the studio.
Great studio and a fantastic price for what you get.

Space is just across the road from my house, and I spent a good few months of walking past it before finally venturing inside.
A major problem for emerging artists in London is the difficulty of getting studio space, unless you have generous, rich parents to help, it is a constant financial struggle. Space was set up in 1968 by Bridget Riley, Peter Sedgley and Peter Townsend to provide affordable studio space, printmaking equipment & workshops as well as a decent gallery space for regular exhibitions.
As a printmaker, I am particularly interested in the screen printing studios, run by the East London printmakers, an independent group of professional artists. Open throughout the day on Thursdays and from 10.00 am — 2.00 pm on Saturdays. As long as you have experience, you can book and use the equipment. An induction is £20 and a Thursday session is £12. Not bad at all.