‘Hoxton is no longer a place for artists’ – Paintworks art supplies shop to close after 31 years
Calling it a day: Paintworks is holding a final exhibition, The Last Picture Show
Hoxton staple Paintworks is set to close at the end of July after supplying local artists with materials for 31 years.
Based on the Kingsland Road, the shop is staffed by artists from the area and has seen some of the best known names in international art pass through its doors.
Its final exhibition, The Last Picture Show, opens today and runs until 16 July. Art by manager Dorothy Wood, her business partner Roy Willingham and current employees will be on display.
Dorothy told the Hackney Citizen that the shop’s owners had decided it was the right time to call it a day with the shop.
“The area has changed and my customers have been priced out,” she said.
“If we were to remain open, we would need to move – there aren’t any artists left here. When the Cremer Street studios closed 150 artists were forced out the area, and Hackney Community College has stopped teaching art classes.
“We waited for the new railway for 20 years, but it’s brought nothing but rising prices. It’s great that you can buy ten different types of coffee round here – but it’s no longer a place for artists,” she added.
Good riddance to them – really unpleasant people
Such a shame Paintworks is closing down – just goes to show ‘regeneration’ isn’t always a good thing. I’ve shopped there for years and the staff were always incredibly helpful, will have to find a new art materials shop now!
Think you’re in the minority in that irrelevant and immature opinion Sarah. I’ve shopped at Paintworks for years and I’ve never had anything but warm service and expert advice. It will be very missed by myself and many many others, but congratulations to the owners for so many years of service to the community of East London.
I for one will be very sad to see you go. I have been coming to your shop since the early days in your first shop a few doors down, when I would come in for a feel of your printmaking papers. You have paper that I don’t know where to buy anywhere else and the materials that I have bought from you have been an integral part of many my shows. I have had lots of work framed by Roy and have always come to Dorothy for advice on materials and to shoot the breeze. Admittedly I too have been priced out and although I don’t live that far I do come to your shop a lot less often. I will be in to say goodbye and pick up a framed drawing that I have been meaning to for far too long. Thanks for all of your help over the years Dorothy and Roy and to the rest of your staff, good luck in the future.
How I will miss Paintworks. Dorothy and Roy came to Hoxton in the 1980s because it was cheap and, as artists themselves, they saw the sense in setting up where lots of other artists were. Their policy was always to employ fellow trained artists, I should add. They are the most knowledgeable staff in London, have probably the most comprehensive range of materials anywhere and of course Roy builds exquisite picture frames. It’s irreplaceable. And I always enjoyed their windows. And their left-field music playing whenever I went in. What other shop allows its staff to express themselves in paint all over their plate glass? Dorothy and Roy, you will be much missed – even though you are not husband-and-wife (to my certain knowledge).Good luck with the next step..
Yes I’ve been shopping there for about 31 years & I always found the staff friendly and helpful. They understood the products and was always very pleased with the picture framing. Where to go to now?
Only just caught up on this. So sorry to see. End of an era. I wish you all the best for the future Marlena Schmool
What? Really?!
Went there last week, was hoping it wasn’t shut for good just over the Christmas period.
What about the huge art shop that has opened up on the opposite end of the same block 100 yards away (where the motorcycle shop used to be). With that and Cowling & Wilcox 200 yards further…it hasn’t been mentioned here yet, but one imagines the competition would have played a part.
It was a great shop with friendly staff (yes it was, Sarah, as evidenced by all of these replies to your snide comment), now I don’t know where I’m going to get my überthick tracing paper, let alone be given the ability to chop it up to the size I need, in-house.
Our shop got the chop
Its’ guillotine too
We will miss you Paintworks
Your crazy shop windows too
Thanks everybody for your kind words. Roy and I are enjoying the post-Paintworks world of actually using art materials. Missing you all of course – we didn’t only have friendly staff we had friendly, entertaining customers too.
Alfie – try Seawhite of Brighton for your trace – loved the poem! Marlena- ages since we last saw you, hope you’re well? Cate – if I bump into you dogwalking I’ll give you some tips on where to look for paper. Thank you to Howard, Amy, Innocent and local artist for saying such nice things about us and Sorry Sarah.
Dorothy
….And let’s Not forget all the Students who benefitted from the Cash Discount that Paintworks gave…It was really appreciated by me…It’s a shame Paintworks cannot continue as an online Business , They have such a GOOD WELL ESTABLISHED REPUTATION ….They’d get great reviews for Customer Service I’m sure…Good Luck to All Paintworks Staff in 2017……..Ignore the Troll-like comments…They just make me laugh!
Hello Dorothy! this is Nick from Sutherland a friend and customer from before … I was to send a new calendar for you at the shop this New Year 2017 together with a second book of mine called ‘Lost in Limbo’ , thus one is for kids teens upwards … anyway get in touch if you can remember my address for the calendar … oh I see there is room for my e-mail … in which case I could send it as an attachment for your perusal … smiles still working here fit and well, lotzalove … very best wishes Nick Powell
This is also a loss to the museum and gallery world. Paintworks understood conservation mounting and framing and supplied several exhibition teams. Where to go now?
Hi Nick, I can’t get your email here but Paintworks’ old address – shop@paintworks.biz – is still being monitored for a while. Look forward to hearing from you. Dorothy
Dorothy,
I am so sorry that paintworks has closed. I live out in the wilds of East Sussex and would order from you and your lovely staff regularly over the phone. Just finished one of your Holton 425g watercolour pads. Any advice on where to buy something similar?
Happy painting!
Regards
Steph in Sedlescombe
Hi Steph, Call John Purcell Paper in Brixton.020 7737 5199 They made these pads for us and do their own version called (I think) Brixton pads. At any rate they will remember if you mention Hoxton Pads.
And Thank You – Roy and I are enjoying painting a lot.
Dorothy
I was just framing a small print Roy gave me many years ago in Wapping and it made me think to look up your web site. You did a great job for your customers and I hope you have many fruitful years developing your own talents as artists. Wishing you both well for the future. Stuart W.