U:1 Studios - For Art In The City.

U:1 is a Plymouth based artist led initiative. Our main aim is to promote art and support artists within the city, especially emerging artists. Our strategy for achieving this is to provide two key elements; A non-profit working art space/studio, which is available to rent. And a venue where we host frequent open evenings & exhibitions, providing a platform for promoting resident and visiting artists work. We anticipate that U:1 will grow and evolve, and we encourage this change. We hope that through our efforts new ideas will form, challenges will be made and met, networks will be consolidated and a dynamic and diverse arts community will continue to flourish within the city, alongside and with us.

We are a unique and dynamic collective of practitioners. Our work ranges from contemporary visual art, multi-media, installation, kinetic art, street art and graphic design & illustration. We work collectively in an attempt to successfully merge these disciplines harmoniously, and challenge the tradition of segregation in art forms.

History

The project was originally launched in 2008 by a small group of local artists with the intention of creating a working art space for advocating art and supporting artists within the city. The project consisted of a working studio space, which was converted into an exhibition space & open evening once a month, showcasing resident and visiting artists work.

Current developments

We have recently changed in several ways. We have new artists working with us, bringing a wider variety of talents to the group, and we have moved from our old (cold) premises to Plymouth Arts Centre, where we will temporarily stay until we secure a permanent space within the city.

We intend to retain the tradition of holding an open evening once a month, currently (thanks to their support) in the Arts Centre. In the past these events have proven to be highly successful and popular, showcasing a variety of talented local artists work ranging from portraiture and graffiti to abstract paintings and experimental multimedia installations. These evenings are free entry and open to anyone to attend. They provide a relaxing atmosphere, which brings people together to chat about art, exchange ideas, and get involved in the project. Work is always available for purchase. Please see our notice board for dates of our next events.