A shared studio space in Richmond that is viewed as a godsend for its artists and helped "increase the buzz on Bridge Rd" faces an uncertain future as its lease comes to an end and a new owner of the building plans its development.
The president of the association set up to run Burning Bridge Studios, Meredith Hoult, is resigned to its likely demise.
But she is keen to celebrate the initiative and hopeful of a reprieve of some kind.
"It's just such a great thing and a great place and an important venture, I think, for any community to have a vibrant, arty sort of hub, that I just want to blow our own trumpet a bit," she says.
It's just such a great thing and a great place and an important venture for any community to have a vibrant, arty sort of hub
- Meredith Hoult
An eclectic mix of nine artists, ranging from a 21-year-old painter to a videographer in his early seventies, work independently in the large shared space at 194 Bridge Rd and feed off each other's energy, Hoult says.
She herself is a jewellery maker and designer, in her late sixties.
The other "creatives" are a sculptor, frame maker, candle maker and three more painters.
"It's just a lovely way to work, and we've deliberately kept it open-plan," Hoult says.
The space has played host to some "fabulous" projects, including the creation of two sculptures, from seaweed and rattan, for the Sydney Biennale.
It also holds open days.
"A lot of people love meeting a maker, "Hoult says. "Somebody might come in, who's seen a pair of earrings, for example, in the window.
"And the fact I've made them from scratch and can show them the tools and materials I've used is far more exciting than going to a shop."
Finding an affordable large space for practising artists in Richmond is such a rarity it could perhaps only have happened in the Covid era.
The building - the original section of which was the 1850s-built Star and Garter hotel - had been empty for about a year when the former owner signed a 12-month lease with the group at peppercorn rent in June 2021.
Hoult couldn't be more appreciative of the man who took them in.
For years she had been part of long-established Appleton St Studios near the Victoria Gardens shopping centre, whose rented premises were sold for development.
A core artist group from Appleton St then took a lease on a rundown shop in Church St.
But when Covid hit they were unable to use it and were forced to fundraise and make face masks to pay the rent when the owner refused to discuss reducing it.
In the short time they've been able to work in the Bridge Rd premises, the artists have had an impact on the strip, painting a mural, holding street stalls and welcoming passersby in to explain the project.
Ironically their activity has apparently sparked commercial interest in the building.
The developer who bought it around Christmas time has said they can stay on until December, which Hoult says is "awesome".
Although prices are against it, she hopes it might be possible to stay in the area.
"It's lovely to have your workspace in your own community, and I think you invest a lot more in it if you do," she says. "I think you love it more, somehow."
Burning Bridge Studios will have its next street market on Saturday, May 7. Jewellery making, painting and other creative arts will be on display.
