ABOUT US
The Fish Factory is an artist work space with fifteen working artist’s studios, a gallery, cafe and event space, a printing area, photo studio and a darkroom. It brings together people of all ages and from all walks of life in a vibrant artistic community. Studio residents are local painters, illustrators, mixed media, installation artists, graduates, printers, potters, writers and more.
Flexible, affordable workspace makes
amazing projects happen
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In early 2018 Fish Factory Art Space moved from it's home of nearly seven years on Falmouth Wharves to a new venue on Commercial Road in Penryn.
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Our Gallery, Cafe & Shop are open to the public
Thursday through to Monday 10am - 5pm
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Check our What's On page for the latest Exhibitions, Events & Workshops
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The Fish Factory is a not for profit, community art space. We do not currently receive any core funding and rely on volunteers and the support of our community to stay open and provide our busy and varied programme. If you are able please consider donating what you can via the paypal donation button below - thank you!!
The Fish's Tale:
The Fish Factory Art Space was established in May 2011 by Rose Hatcher to provide a much needed social and cultural hub for the local artistic community. With little experience, a big idea and a lot of help from friends, an old fishy warehouse was transformed into artist studios and a thriving gallery. It has changed and grown year by year, becoming an integral part of the Cornish art scene and an essential resource to the Falmouth/Penryn area.
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in February 2018, after six years based at Falmouth Wharves, the Fish Factory Art Space moved to a new space in Penryn. This was made possible by the support of the local and wider community, raising £10,000 through a crowdfunding campaign (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fishfactoryarts). This enabled the Fish Factory to continue providing workspace, exhibition opportunities and community engagement for local and visiting artists.
We have worked very hard to build and grow the Fish Factory with no core funding but with a lot of good will and creative thinking. We believe strongly that an independent gallery and workspace can attract international artists, new ideas and provide a place where local emerging artists can thrive. We have set up a Community Interest Company, Fish Factory Arts CIC, to formalise our commitment to our artists and audience.
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We have opportunities for people wishing to volunteer in the arts and can accommodate most ideas within our wide remit of SUPPORTING ARTISTS - particularly those working in contemporary art, experimental practice, and above all socially aware and charitable activities.
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In 2013, Rose and her team were joined by Rob Burns from the Midlands; this collaboration led to an expansion of projects, with more diversity and further international growth. Fish Factory Arts have been the prime organisers of the region’s ‘Black History Month’ since 2013. This includes exhibitions, seminars/lectures and a Blues, Jazz & Black roots Festival. We also organise events for the annual ‘International Woman’s Day’ including workshops, exhibitions, performances etc.
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We now offer our new Fish Factory as an open and vibrant project space for local, emerging, thriving and international artists, local groups looking for a place to meet, students, musicians, and many more!
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The New Fish Factory in Penryn:
