Trail Blazing

摘要

For many an arts student looking to life beyond college, this is the stuff of dreams: a fully-equipped workshop and gallery space that you share with your best mates, in the heart of a thriving city Somehow though, most of these dreams turn to dust once the degree show is up and the pressure is on to earn a living 'in the real world', but for a group of ceramists in Bristol the fantasy became a reality. And Blaze is about as good as the dream can get: a two-storey, fully equipped ceramics workshop and gallery located along the arty strand of galleries and design shops between trendy Park Street and the city centre. It was set up as a co-operative in December 2002 by six friends who all graduated from the University of the West of England (UWE) in the last three years: Hanne Rysgaard, Belinda Lawson, Carol Reynolds, Aasne Solheim, Emily Burton and Rosamund Wilton. They lease the property from the Ethical Property Company, a socially- and ecologically-aware letting agents, at a very reasonable rent for such a central site. 'They were very happy when we said we wanted to set up a ceramic workshop', says Hanne, 'I think it fits in with their image. In terms of fulfilling the Company's environmental brief, it is all quite simple: 'We have to use energy-saving lightbulbs and recycle as much of our rubbish, such as paper and cardboard, as possible,' Emily says. But, as they are quick to point out, when it comes to scavenging, they are experts. 'We found this in a skip', says Carol, pointing to the stylish shelving unit mounted on the wall in the gallery area, 'and all the other shelves. The shop counter we inherited from the previous tenants.' The Ethical Property Company accepted staggered payments whilst Blaze got off the ground and the building is theirs for as long as they want it. Rates and services are included in the rent which keeps the financial organisation relatively straightforward.