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In 1994 when Keith Ashley was looking for a studio for himself he came across a derelict Victorian building at the end of a mews off Stoke Newington High Street. It had been a chocolate factory until 1959, but had fallen into disuse. Despite its dereliction it was an attractive building around a cobbled yard with lots of character and a warm atmosphere. Although somewhat daunted at first, Keith bought the building and converted it to provide 13 studios for artists and the Chocolate Factory N16 began its new life.
Obviously other artists liked it too because in no time it was full and oversubscribed, so when the building next door became available, that too was bought and rebuilt to create another 14 studios which were completed in January 2007. They too are fully occupied.
There are now 27 studios all occupied by artists and craftsmen, who can meet together over coffee or lunch in the yard. Twice a year they invite the general public to join them at ‘open studios’.
Anyone interested in having a studio at the Chocolate Factory N16, should contact Keith Ashley.
email: keith.ashley@blueyonder.co.uk
phone: 020 7503 7896 or 020 7209 5862.
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