History of BAS

In November 1996 Lyncombe Infants School in the Widcombe area of Bath was purchased and let on a friendly agreement between the landlord and local portrait painter Mr David Cobley. By the beginning of April 1997 the studios were in full occupation with 27 artists in residence. One large room was set aside for use as a school/life room and by September 1997 a full weekly programme of art classes attended by local residents and people from outside the area was in place. Classes included life drawing, watercolour, oils, and clay modelling and were tutored/organised by local artists and are run for the benefit of both experienced artists and complete beginners. There was also a small gallery/exhibition space, which, due to lack of resources, was never fully exploited.

In June 1997 the first full meeting of Widcombe Studios Association was held. It was decided to form a committee to look into ways of running the organisation. The studios became a company limited by guarantee in January 1998 and the studios from then on run by a Management Committee, currently composed of 10 studio artists, a representative from the schoolroom users and the Administrator.

The premises occupied by the studios were purchased by a private developer and after some difficulties a short term lease was agreed from April 2002 until December 2003. In addition as part of the short term lease agreement the studios had to bear a 50% rent increase on the property which meant that an extra £10,000 had to be found. Studio artists bore some of this increase through increases to studio rents, and raised the rest through a series of fundraising events. A ‘Friends of Widcombe Studios' membership scheme was started which now has over 100 members. In conjunction with this a talks/events series was launched with talks scheduled once a month. One of the artists also organised a ‘Bid or Buy' exhibition which successfully raised £10,000.

The studios decided to apply for charitable status and the chair of the committee elected to undertake the application. Charitable status was granted in February 2004.

In December 2003 a lease was signed on the premises at Comfortable Place and the artists moved to the new address just before Christmas. The premises are in what was an auction room with a car body repair workshop beneath. The landlords agreed a three month rent free period to allow time for refurbishments and construction of studio spaces. Also the car body workshop warehouse space needed repairs to the roof. The building now occupied is approximately 3 times the size of the previous building.

During December 2006 the adjoining garages were taken on which increased the total number of studios to 49. Widcombe Studios celebrated 10 years with a 10x10 Bid or Buy fundraiser - which raised over £8000 - funds from this and other funds which were raised will go towards securing the future of the studios.

From August 2007 onwards classes in the school room have increased with a programme that runs nearly every day of the week. The exhibition and talks programme has also grown in strength highlighting Widcombe Studios as a supporter and facilitator of contemporary art practice in the South West. The gallery has been refurbished, a new ceiling and frontage installed - making a great hireable space for studio holders, artists based in Bath and beyond.

The studios remain as popular as ever supporting 54 artists, with a constant waiting list for the studios. However we are continually renewing the studios position with The Western Riverside Development on our doorstep and our future uncertain after 2012 when the lease expires.

In May 2009, Widcombe Studios changed its name to Bath Artists' Studios, in recognition of its importance as the biggestprovider of work spaces for artists in the city. The name change coincided with our annual summer Open Studios event, marking a significant moment in the Studios' history and the next stage of our development.