Community

The Old Bath House

The Old Bath House, which lies less than a mile from the beautiful sweep of Druridge bay, is all that remains of Broomhill Colliery which closed in the 1960s. After a long shift underground, thousands of miners filthy with grime and coal dust would return to the Bath House for a well earned shower, and it remains now as the last monument to this mining heritage.

Whilst retaining much of its original character, the building has now been developed to house a series of gallery, workshop and studio spaces in which a number of local artists and craftspeople have turned this former industrial site into a must-see destination for art lovers in the region.

With a full programme of events, exhibitions and workshops available, along with ample parking and coffee and cake, The Old Bath House offers a unique opportunity for visitors to buy or get involved with art in Northumberland.

Artists/Businesses:

Andy Hull

Andy gave up engineering for art and graduated in Printmaking from Brighton University in 1999 having spent time at Kansas City Art Institute. This made him interested in process-driven art and he taught himself photography, drawing, painting and sculpting in clay. Andy spent 3 years with a studio in Paris, where his show made the front page of the city’s listings magazine, and then a decade at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. He is now using computer software to combine large autobiographical paintings with sculptures of the characters in them. He is also experimenting with photography and video. Andy normally works alone but a recent collaboration resulted in winning Fablab’s Makerthon in
Sunderland. Andy has developed commissions from Brighton to Gateshead, where he is involved in Bensham Grove Pottery. For Andy, it’s all about the excitement of the idea and self-expression without compromise.

Ellie Davison-Archer

Ellie Davison-Archer is a fine artist based in her hometown of Amble, Northumberland. Inspired by natural and botanical forms, Davison-Archer is drawn to their under appreciated, delicate nature which she then depicts through a meticulous drawing style or print based medium. Davison-Archer’s recent commercial work is an extension of her passion for collecting objects of natural form and depreciated beauty. Inspired by findings
from the Northumberland coastline and countryside, Davison-Archer has developed her detailed observational drawings into screen printed textiles to bring the outdoors into the home interior.

Helen Grierson

Helen is a glass artist with a large, custom built glass studio in The Old Bath House in the village of North Broomhill. From her studio Helen sells her own unique pieces of both fused and stained glass . Commission work is also undertaken for both public and private customers and she runs a variety of very successful glass workshops for adults and children of all abilities and this year Helen will be offering ceramic workshops. Come and share in the magic of glass and visit Helen in her studio.

Libby Watkins

Libby is a self taught artist who began her art career in 2015 when she opened Harbourside Studio in Amble's Harbour Village. She enjoyed three successful seasons here but began to crave a larger space where she could have the freedom to be more creative. In September 2018 she left her Pod behind and took on her new space in The Old Bath House. Libby is constantly inspired by her surroundings and continues to
produce her signature detailed pencil drawings of local landscapes that are brought to life by hints of vibrant colour. She thrives on exploring her subjects using different artistic techniques, studying every single detail while aspiring to communicate the true essence of her subject, be it a place, animal or person.

Niche Gallery

Gallery owners Paul and Katie Henery are both practicing artists. Paul a wildlife and landscape painter and Katie a contemporary artist with a love of nature which inspires her pen drawings on vintage maps. With a full programme of exhibitions and workshops available, along with ample parking and coffee and cake, Niche Gallery @ The Old Bath House offers a unique opportunity for visitors to buy or get involved with art in
Northumberland. Katie is a contemporary artist with a love for nature and a passion to conserve it through her art. Her artistic practice focuses on the Natural World and her love of wildlife, landscape, and the marine environment. This, in turn, inspires her printmaking, land art, photography and pen drawings on vintage maps. Her work mainly focuses on the Northumberland Coastline and the magnificent scenery and wildlife it offers.
Paul Henery is an award winning artist working and living within his native Northumberland. Winner of both the prestigious, BBC Wildlife Magazine Art Award, and the RSPB Fine Art Award. He has won numerous other awards, exhibited widely and taken part in many art projects. He creates contemporary impressions inspired by the natural world, and based upon field sketches and ‘plein air’ paintings. Ideas are often developed in the studio in paint or printmaking techniques.

Nicola Stevenson

Nicola graduated in Art & Design from the University of Ulster in 1993 before moving to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to complete a Post graduate in Computer Applications in Art & Design. She worked for many years as Computer Graphics Technician in Durham before settling in Shilbottle to work at Alnwick Playhouse. Nicola has been developing her painting over the past few years exhibiting regularly at Alnmouth Arts Festival, continuing to work on large scale seascapes in her studio at The Old Bath House.

Martha Gothorp (Salt & Co)

Martha’s jewellery designs greatly reflect her personality and her surroundings. Inspired by the stunning Northumbrian coastline, where Martha and her workshop are based. Her designs are heavily influenced by natural form, texture and minimalist design.

Karen Rose Watmough (Seawaves Jewellery)

We specialise in rare, unusual and one-off pieces of SeaGlass. Every piece has been found along this coastline, from as far north as the Holy Island of Lindisfarne all the way down to the most famous beach for SeaGlass of all, in Seaham! Most SeaGlass I use is ‘Vintage’ and at least 150 years old. A speciality is ‘End of Day’ SeaGlass which is found only on Seaham Beach. Each piece is set in Sterling Silver and I make necklaces, pendants, stud earrings and drop earrings, charm bracelets and rings too.’

Ashley Eldridge

Ashley Eldridge is a retired art and design lecturer who works almost exclusively in oil paints and specialises in portraits.