The Paddock Art Studio are housed in lovely old timbered buildings with a large beautiful garden, located in the centre of Lewes.
We offer Art Classes for adults at affordable prices. We also offer art workshops at weekends
Fully serviced Studio and Gallery Space is available for hire, for art classes, workshops and exhibitions
The Paddock Studios are managed by the Lewes and District Visual Arts Association. LADVAA is a registered Charity. Charity Number 288661 and 272264​​
Chair: Collette Goodwin (chairman@paddockartstudios.co.uk)
Vice-Chair: Jeanne McNair
Treasurer: Ferry Mokhtar (treasurer@paddockartstudios.co.uk)
Secretary: Tezel Bahcheli (temporary)
Membership Secretary: Tezel Bahcheli (membership@paddockartstudios.co.uk)
Weekend and holiday workshops (not on committee): Louise Gorst (studiohire@paddockartstudios.co.uk)
Publicity co-ordinator: Peter Bushell (peter.bushell@paddockartstudios.co.uk)
Events: (vacant)
Building projects: Jeanne McNair
Gardening co-ordinator: Anne Daniel (annecvdaniel@gmail.com)
Member: Ian Punter
Member: Julia Hathaway
Member: Simon Chandler
Member: Sarah Hunter
History
We believe the building to be about 200 years old and was built as a stable block for the Haywards Heath stagecoach.
Stable boys slept in the loft – the hatchway is still visible and in Paddock Lane was the “turning circle” for coaches. After this the building fell into disrepair until 1946.
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Cecil Heathfield was at the time Art Advisor for the area. He believed passionately that art was for everyone. He bought the derelict building and despite post-war restrictions and the astonishment of his family, turned it into a studio and home for himself and his wife Evelyn.
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Cecil started groups in the district, encouraging people with their art work, for which he held exhibitions at “Paddock Studios”, thus enabling ordinary people to exhibit, who otherwise would not have the opportunity. Cecil’s brother Pip, a graphic designer, and his wife Meg, later joined him and all lived at the Studios, known then as the Cecil Heathfield Centre. A plaque commemorating this period can still be seen in the Studio.
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After Cecil’s death in the 1970’s, Evelyn handed the Studio to the County Council; she died shortly after. However the Council were unable to satisfy the aims of the legacy, and rather than let it deteriorate again, a Committee of Trustees was formed, as the Lewes and District Visual Arts Association. LADVAA still owns and maintains the building. Pip and Meg continued to live in the adjoining flat until their deaths.
The garden is a unique asset, made by Meg and Pip from “just brambles”. It is now maintained voluntarily by LADVAA members – Meg said “It’s the love that went into it”.
