Site Visit for SFSA at Anthology Deptford Foundry
First Published: 24/07/2017
It was an exciting time last week for SFSA Director, Nichole Herbert Wood who was visiting the construction site of Anthology’s Deptford Foundry 316 unit development scheme, Arklow Road, Lewisham, and home to Second Floor Studios new 80 + purpose built studios due to open late autumn 2018.
The concrete shell and cores of the four main blocks out of nine that comprise the whole housing scheme, Casting House, Alloy House, Assembly House and Arbor House are rising from the ground. These four blocks will house approximately 30,000 sqft of high quality affordable studios, communal areas and facilities over the ground and first floors for visual and fine artists’, craft and designer makers, creating a new hub for creativity and culture in Lewisham.
Image: View from the eastern end of Arklow Road that will become a new landscaped public route connecting green spaces, Evelyn Green and Folkstone Gardens.
Image: Showing ground floor of Assembly House & Arbor House. Concrete pilers show the openings for the new studios that will be floor to ceiling glass.
Three100 Update
To date the Three100 fundraiser has grossed just over £100,000. I’d like to express overwhelming gratitude to all the artists that contributed works, to the folks that have bought works and everyone else that has supported this project.
The Three100 fundraiser to help towards permanent, affordable studio provision is still running and continues until the end of the year.
Catalogue Foreword
Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture & Creative Industries.
There are few places on earth that can rival London for its creative industries. Culture is truly in the DNA of the capital, but we cannot be complacent. As property prices rise and new areas of the city grow, artists are finding themselves unable to put down roots here.
Artists and creative people are like the advance party — they find the unusual places that no one sees much value in and they breathe life into them. We can’t underestimate the value they bring to the capital’s character, identity and success. And this is the essence of the Three100 project – safeguarding and nurturing the profound contribution artists make to the city’s sense of community and prosperity.
We all need to take vigorous action now to retain our position as a world class cultural capital for decades to come and, like Three100, the trick is to find a way to allow artists to put down roots in the areas they have played such an important role in establishing - and not get displaced as prices rise.
The Mayor and I are committed to improving access to dedicated, affordable workspace so that the next generation of creatives are given the extra support they require to flourish, and so we are delighted to see the wonderful Second Floor Studios & Arts acquire this new space.
By donating to this wonderful project, you will help to breathe life into Deptford as a growing artistic centre in south London, celebrate the entrepreneurial flair of Second Floor Studios and ensure the lifeblood of London’s creativity remains in the capital.
I look forward to seeing the space come to life
Justine Simons
Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries
