Studios 1 - 10
Studio 9 Matthew Huxley
"Matthew is quite a new resident at A4 Studios and has already created quite a lot of new pieces. Working with 3D printers, Paints, IT Sculpting and resins. Mattews main influences are his love of music, as a keen guitarist he has designed and created utilitarian items for the musician. His main influence is the metal band “Slipknot” and he has recreated many of the iconic masks worn by the band in their performances. Matthew’s practice is in its early stages, and he is experimenting and creating unique fan based works in IT sculpture and 3D printing the results, meticulously detail each piece by hand to produce the perfect finish."
Studio 8 Jane Sproston
"Jane is a fine artist living in Altrincham. She spent a year at art college studying foundation art (Salford college and then Trafford college).
Janes work mainly focuses on drawings and paintings that try to capture intricate detail.
A lot of Janes work is based on botanical themes including plants, flowers and trees, although her earlier work also looked at abandoned and disused places.
Jane has exhibited her work nationally and internationally including a solo exhibition in Stockport in 2015, the Warrington Art Festival and a joint exhibition ‘From here and there’ held in Colorado and Swansea."
Studio 8 Suncatcher Glass Art by Darren Sproston
"Since childhood, Darren has been fascinated with the vibrancy of traditional stained glass. Having visited cathedrals such as York Minster, both before and after the fire of 1984, he admired the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain. At a similar time, he was able to see the transformation of Buxton baths with the new glass roof by Brian Clarke and was amazed at how he was able to work modern glass ideas into such an iconic structure. As a self-taught glass artist, Darren uses traditional lead came as well as Tiffany style copper foil techniques to create free standing and chain hung pieces to allow the beauty of the materials to transform any space. He is largely influenced by natural geometry and nature."
Studio 7 Chloe Knowles
"Chloes artistic journey has been profoundly influenced by her mother, as she grew up in an environment where she learnt to see the world through a lens of colour, texture, and emotion. Chloe primarily uses mixed media, a versatile and dynamic form that allows her to create using diverse materials and techniques. Each piece she creates is a show of her experiences, a visual diary capturing the essence of her travels, each journey adding a new layer of depth and perspective to her artistic vision. Inspired by the vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes she has encountered; her art seeks to invite you to embark on your own journeys of reflection and imagination. Chloe aims to inspire you with a sense of adventure, wonder and introspection."
Studio 6 Gill Nono
"Gill is a Manchester-born artist and pattern maker and has made marks for decades. Her approach has always been characterised by a bold, brave, intuitive use of colours, achieving such joy and drama in her patterns. For 20 years, these signature patterns and layered techniques were applied to and championed in the soft furnishing and wallpaper industries, selling worldwide.
A year ago, after 15 years of not making marks, Gill decided to pick up her paintbrush again. Whilst she re-discovered her love for creating patterns, her family also temporarily lost their living room to a re-born artist. Luckily for her family, Gill has recently taken up a studio at The Engine Shed. Now, her patterns of the past are taking on new life and form, with no limits, as she gains courage to do what she always did best - Make marks."
Studio 5 Spin Klass
"SPIN KLASS are a 3-piece alternative synth pop band from Manchester, England. The band formed in 2021 from a collection of John McClane fanatics, budgie enthusiasts and substation controllers who couldn't get enough Devo, XTC and Talking Heads. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses heavy '80s synths and catchy vocal harmonies with pulsing energy and eccentric charm that will make you want to have a cold shower.
The band dropped their debut collection "Sod It" on all major platforms on Friday 29th October 2021. Their new EP "Ferral Bop" was released on 28th October 2022 supported by a Tour de North throughout November."
Studio 4 Westley Wood (Animation Toolkit)
"Westley Wood, the visionary founder of Animation Toolkit, has been at the forefront of the stop-motion animation industry, crafting high-quality armatures and animation supplies for both enthusiasts and professionals. Under his leadership, Animation Toolkit has become a cornerstone in the world of stop-motion, known for its meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence. The company's innovative designs and custom-made products have supported countless animators in bringing their creations to life, establishing Animation Toolkit as a trusted name in the animation community.
Collaborating with renowned brands such as Disney, Aardman, and the BBC, Animation Toolkit's expertise has been integral to numerous cinematic and TV productions across the globe. This exhibition celebrates Animation Toolkit, Wes Wood and his esteemed team of engineers’ work, contributions and the company's legacy, showcasing the artistry and engineering behind some of the most beloved stop-motion characters."
Studio 1C Mike Grubert & Rhea Thompson
"Mike has been teaching guitar for 15 years. During that time, he has trained other guitar teachers and many of Mike's students have gone on to become professional musicians.
Mike has toured and recorded as a band member, session musician, producer and solo artist playing every genre of music imaginable.
At an early age Rhea’s impressive guitar skill rapidly gained her a huge following on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. This led to her being asked to collaborate with other great musicians from around the globe. As well as her online following, Rhea has become a highly respected guitarist in the live music scene. When she is not teaching, she is touring many countries with her band Tailgunner. If you're looking for an inspiring and patient teacher, then get booked in with Rhea."
Studio 1 INDY
"INDY (It's Not Dead Yet) is an Independant Music Community Project based in Altrincham, were we refurbish, rehome and relove unwanted musical instruments, mainly concentrating on guitars but will consider other instruments to work on and pass them on for free.
Started in 2018 and developed as an extension of the varied community work we've been doing since 2011 in Altrincham, the main reason INDY exists is for respite and as stated on the home page of the website, that we believe that money should never be a barrier for creativity, regardless of ability or situation
INDY operates under the strictest confidentiality and is all inclusive.
To get a better idea of what we get up to please visit the Website or Facebook page."
