Haarlem Artspace
Haarlem Artspace
about:
“On the hill opposite are some great stone quarries. It is as though something tore the hill open and said “Here, you shall see not only smooth but the hard strong stuff that is inside too”’ Olive Schreiner
Haarlem Artspace is a multi functional artist-led space whose aim is to encourage practice and research into contemporary art created in a rural environment.
It offers dedicated studios for artists and writers in the inspiring and historic Grade II* listed Haarlem Mill building, situated in the town of Wirksworth, Derbyshire. There will also be flexible public spaces that will present an engaging and ambitious program of events and activities relating to landscape, the environment and ecology.
We’re looking for ambitious artists and writers, to further and develop their practices at Haarlem. They will be invited to participate in a program of exhibitions and events, which will explore and develop links with the Wirksworth Festival and the wider creative community. We will develop commissions, events, and a residency program, which will have on-going links with other studio groups, both national and international.Artists will be supported in the development of new work via a group critique program, optional tutoring, funding advice and support, alongside online representation.
Studio spaces are by application. To apply submit an expression of interest outlining why you’d like a space at Haarlem and how you would use it, include an artist statement, images and supporting links to: studios@haarlemartspace.co.uk
The Peak District is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the heart of England, and North Derbyshire. The Haarlem Mill building was the first ever coal powered mill significant in the Industrial revolution. Historic literary links include George Elliot, D.H.Lawrence, Daniel Defoe, Olive Schreiner, Eleanor Marx, and Friedrich Engels. Wirksworth is the setting for George Elliots fictional ‘Mill on the Floss’. Being restored to English Heritage standards, Haarlem Mill is a beautiful and inspiring place to work and develop artistic ideas
www.haarlemartspace.co.uk
studios@haarlemartspace.co.uk
how is/was it run/structured ?:
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- community interest company
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history of the site:
Haarlem Mill, on the River Ecclesbourne in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, was an early cotton mill. Built by Richard Arkwright, it was the first cotton mill in the world to use a steam engine, to supplement the supply of water to the mill's water wheel.
The novelist George Eliot, is said to have based the characters Adam Bede and Dinah Morris in her novel 'Adam Bede' on her uncle, the Haarlem Mill manager, and his wife, and to have used Haarlem Mill as the inspiration for the mill in 'The Mill on the Floss'.
The site of the mill, including an older corn mill, was leased by Arkwright in 1777. Construction of the mill building in brick and stone was completed by June 1780,
operational at this date. After initially investigating the purchase of a steam engine from the Birmingham firm of Boulton and Watt, Arkwright installed a reciprocating steam engine, probably manufactured by Francis Thompson of Ashover, to supplement the occasionally inadequate water supply.
By 1789 the mill was employing almost 200 people, but it was sold by Arkwright three years later. The base of the original building survives, but the upper three floors have since been rebuilt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haarlem_Mill
Haarlem Mill was set up as Artists Studio's in 2015 for opening spring 2016, by Artists Geoff Diego Litherland, Olivia Punnett, and Bev Shephard, Finance Director.
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- open plan
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