Situated in the heart of Berwick-upon-Tweed, 27 Art House is a shop, studio and gallery space created by the Northumberland artist Amy Izat. The shop offers a carefully curated collection of pieces that, as Amy says, “promote a healthy, holistic, positive and mindful way of living” while offering visitors a calm space to browse away from the bustle.
We caught up with Amy recently to chat about the inspiration and ideas behind 27 Art House.
Tell us a bit about 27 Art House – where it is, how you designed the interior, and also what you sell.
27 Art House (named after the number of the building and the age at which I got the keys for it) is a calm, creative space located on Bridge Street, in the heart of the historic home town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. I used a subtle pink/white for the front of the shop to create a clean and sophisticated look. The subtle pink continues inside to accommodate neutral walls for a background to the artwork, and for the ceramics and stock I have on sale in the shop. It is also all geared up for future exhibitions and events that will be hosted here.
I wanted to keep the shop fairly minimal to help exaggerate the pieces that I have on sale. I have never been one for too much clutter, and because this is a space I work in as well I wanted minimal clutter. I also wanted it to be a space where people immediately feel calm when they walk in, especially with the log burner on at the back and two elegant SOHO Home chairs positioned near the fireplace for anyone to sit and relax.
How do you find and source the products and independent businesses to stock?
I wanted to stock products that promote a healthy, holistic, positive and mindful way of living as for me this has been such a healing mechanism to my life. When I have visited places like Norfolk, I would always go exploring and find beautiful shops. Whilst in Norfolk I came across this shop that specialised in perfumes and candles and after talking to the owner, I was then able to stock their products, which all smell amazing.
Other products include ceramics by friends I have met along the way, including Michel François, a potter from Falmouth who creates these incredible Moon Jars that are my main focus in my shop windows; and a young artist, Elvira Genthof, from Bruges. Every Friday I have local florist Polly delivering fresh flower bouquets and potted arrangements that definitely brighten up Bridge Street.
Where did the idea come from for including pre-loved and vintage clothing? Again, is that a passion of yours?
The pre-loved clothes rail was more of an experiment and a way of raising a little bit of money to help towards Ukrainian refugees, but everyone seems to love it and I have had the most wonderful designer pieces come in that have gone down a treat, so it might be something I keep going.
Can you tell us a bit about the workshops you host in the space? And was it always important to have a space that could be used in this way?
I have hosted my first two workshops over Valentine’s Day including a spring potted bulb workshop by Polly’s Petals and a mindful painting class by me. The potted bulb class attracted all ages including my granny who is in a home at the moment, and it was so rewarding to be able to offer something to those who might otherwise be limited to what they can do and see them thrive! Both classes created an amazing atmosphere and I think went down really well.
I hope to organise more workshops for events such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas as well as having guest appearances and bringing experiences to Berwick, rather than people having to leave Berwick to go to the cities to find something like a life drawing class or a whisky tasting evening. I hope to bring energy and creativity back into this space!
Are there any other local businesses that you would like to highlight?
West Street is really transforming with amazing shops like Interesting Books, Puddles, or Northern Soul. A winery is about to open opposite Mule on Rouge, which is very exciting ,and along with the Turkish restaurant, Atelier, and The Curfew, Bridge Street really does have a buzz about it in the evenings.
What are your favourite local places and walks to explore?
I love Bamburgh and Seahouses, where my mum is from, with places to eat like The Potted Lobster and the beach walks. My favourite walk with Teasel (my dog) at the moment is along the river and up to Castle Terrace; it’s about a 5km loop that’s perfect before work in the mornings. Not many people can say they go for a walk along a gorgeous river, under historic bridges, through old arches of a castle, and hardly see a soul – all before work.
To read our full conversation with Amy click here.