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CELEBRATING 35 YEARS

OF FROME’S COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE

Back in the early Eighties, a small group of likeminded people raised funds to repair the Black Swan Inn and open an Arts Centre. It was an opportunity to create employment for young people during restoration, host a dynamic range of exhibitions and provide affordable studios where emerging artists could work and sell to the public. Thirty-five years later, the aims remain as relevant today as they were in 1986 when Frome’s art centre opened its doors.

“Black Swan Arts is always hungry for creative ideas from people who wish to use the space, or get involved in its running.”

You might be surprised to hear that Black Swan Arts is run mostly by a small team of committed volunteers, who are passionate about ensuring that this arts space is accessible to all. Black Swan Art’s centre manager, Emma Warren, is infectiously enthusiastic about the Frome arts scene and is encouraging locals to get out and get involved to ensure its future survival. She says “Please support Frome’s creative venues - our theatres, cinema, galleries, studios and shops. Together we can find a way out of lockdown, connect again, achieve amazing things and ensure future generations benefit from our special town.”

Black Swan Arts is open to all creatives, whether it is to put on a show, have a pop-up weekend in the Round Tower, join their management board, or volunteer time or expertise. Black Swan Arts is always hungry for creative ideas from people who wish to use the space, or get involved in its running. From exhibitions and installations to fundraising projects and building maintenance, there is always something to do. So get in touch if you would like to be part of the friendly team and give something back to your community.

Black Swan Arts has a wonderful group of residents in their studios. They are:

Jo Joof Designs: Illustration and drawing workshops for all ages. Award-winning Crinkly Cloth Books.

Badger House Leather: Unique handmade items, ethically sourced leather, teaching and workshops.

Daniel Musselwhite: Handmade contemporary jewellery and workshops, ‘as seen on TV’.

Jo Walton: Artist, oil painter and mixed media abstract landscapes.

The Write Place: Creative spaces for writers to meet to write together. Daily and monthly events.

Discover Frome: Tourist information point, maps, walks and Frome info.

You can find information on studio residents, exhibitions and events at blackswanarts.org.uk

The River House

at Black Swan ARTS

It’s been three months since The River House fled their nest on the Bridge and moved round to join Black Swan Arts. The two Frome institutions have been living side by side in creative café bliss since Easter 2021, and their coming together has proved a huge hit with locals.

“We’d outgrown the Bridge some time ago, but it was actually the pandemic that gave us the push we needed to grow into a bigger space”

For The River House, the move could not have come at a better time. “We’d outgrown the Bridge some time ago, but it was actually the pandemic that gave us the push we needed to grow into a bigger space” says owner Ellen Porteous. “Finding a location to match the Bridge was never going to be easy, so we were over the moon to get the lease for the previous Black Swan

Black Swan Arts are looking foropen call for makers emerging and established artists to sell work in their new shop. Apply online via the website: blackswanarts.org.uk

Café. It’s close enough to our roots and the river, but with a glorious garden and top tenants to share the arts centre with. We hope we’ve brought some new energy with our own colourful characters.”

Despite their cosy and intimate location on the Bridge, social distancing and lack of outdoor area were reason enough for the River House team to find more spacious premises to bring their infamous blend of incredible coffee, tasty brunches and bubbly service to their Frome regulars.