Welcome to Old Jet! 

Founded in 2014, Old Jet is an established arts centre that is home to a vibrant community of professional visual artists, photographers, musicians, videographers, textile artists, writers and more.

What is Airspace?

Airspace is a new programme that empowers talented up and coming artists based in East Anglia who are facing financial hardship to establish careers as professional artists.

Our ambition is to convert disused shipping containers into new studios, which will be offered free of charge to beneficiaries in addition to mentoring programmes and industry opportunities provided by the Old Jet community. 

This crowdfunding campaign is your opportunity to support this non-profit cause, which you can do either by making a donation or by purchasing one of our unique rewards (scroll down this page to view them!) 

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions and he'll be happy to help. 

How Airspace began 

Since its formation, Old Jet has engaged in a number of philanthropic activities. For example, a community fund was set up using the revenue generated by a monthly market held at Old Jet.

This fund has been used to support local schools and young artists. Airspace is Old Jet’s next step in creating a sustainable programme of support for new artists in the area.

Darren's Story

“I came to Old Jet around 2 years ago, when I was 18. At the time, I was unable to pay for a studio space and I was making lots of large artworks in a friend's shed. I wanted to take the next step in my career but had no financial support to do so. Old Jet helped me by offering me a studio space, which allowed me to continue creating the work I wanted to make. I became a part of this friendly community and had access to a wonderful studio space which helped me gain confidence and led to my work improving.”

“There are a wide variety of creative individuals at Old Jet. This helped with my growth as a painter, as my brain was constantly being stimulated with interesting discussions with interesting people, even if it was just bumping into someone on the way to the kitchen to get a cup of tea.

Fast forward two years from when I moved to Old Jet and I reached the goal that I set out for. I’m now exhibiting my work regularly and selling pieces worldwide. I'm looking forward to taking the next steps in my career.”

How Airspace will support new Artists 

Old Jet has set up Airspace in order to amplify its philanthropic activities. The ambition of the programme is to help as many talented new artists from the region as possible to launch successful careers.

Airspace will achieve this by:

1. Providing free, high quality studio facilities in converted shipping containers.

 
2. Providing comprehensive professional development support.

3. Providing opportunities and routes to market such as creating meaningful partnerships with established professionals and organisations in each artist’s relevant industry.

The above provisions will be provided free-of-charge to those in need such as young artists facing financial hardship and others facing financial, social or location-based barriers to entry.

Who is Airspace for?

Airspace is for new visual artists and musicians who are based in East Anglia and have the talent and ambition to develop careers in the arts.

This demographic includes, but is not limited to, young artists aged 18+, ‘pivoting artists’ who are embarking on a change of careers and ‘re-emerging artists’ who were previously embarking on developing artistic careers before life got in the way. 

The programme is open to a broad variety of artistic disciplines including, but not limited to, 

• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Music
• Textiles
• Writing

How we will put your donation to work!

This crowdfunding campaign will raise funds to convert disused shipping containers into high quality studio facilities.

Image courtesy of BCR Infinity Architects 

With your support we will build upon the region’s reputation as a hotbed of brilliant creative culture by modernising arts patronage and empowering the region’s very best artistic talents to fulfil their potential as professional artists!

We wish to say a huge thank you to BCR Infinity Architects for their great design work and enthusiasm on this project. 

Project budget

The first step of the project is to build six studios from two 40ft containers and two 20ft containers that we are already in possession of. 

The cost of building each studio is £20,000, which includes all building costs, contingencies and VAT.  

This crowdfunding campaign will raise the funds for the very first studio to be built!

Support to date

To date Airspace has secured over £5,700 in donations from local organisations including The Lord Belstead Charitable Settlement, the Alfred Williams Charitable Trust, the Ganzoni Charitable Trust and The Scarfe Charitable Trust.

We have secured over £25,000 of in-kind support to date from:

• BCR Infinity Architects
• Allglass Anglia
• Larking's list
• Audient
• Larking Gowen
• Affinity PR
• Andrew Laws Associates

Airspace has established artistic partnerships with:

• SPILL Festival
• Britten Pears
• Gallery East
• 303 Projects
• Original Projects

We have also established Educational partnerships with:

• University of Suffolk
• Norwich University of the Arts
• University of East Anglia

Meet the team

Jesse Quin - Founder and Managing Director 

Jesse is a musician who grew up in Suffolk. After finishing school he lived in Bristol and London and moved back to Suffolk in 2012.  

Oliver Squirrell - Airspace Manager 

Oliver is a professional artist manager and mentor with over ten years of fundraising and management experience behind him.

Consuela Fontan - General Manager 

Consuela is responsible for the day-to-day management of the studios and all events at Old Jet. She has 15 years headhunting experience in the commercial, not-for-profit, arts and education sectors. Consuela is also a practising artist.

Alan Wilkinson - Lead Architect

Alan Wilkinson of BCR Infinity Architects has four decades in architecture and is one of the RIBA Suffolk delegates on the Suffolk Joint Construction Committee. He is also an occasional lecturer in Architecture at the University of Suffolk.

The Old Jet Community - Airspace Support 

Our community includes the former Creative Director of Eden Project, Peter Hampel, established painters Jelly Green and Adam Riches, published authors Jack Cooke and Louise Millar, Chief Examiner for Art & Design at UAL, Matt Moseley, Fashion Designer, Lydia Cooper, established photographer Nick Ilott, Artist and MA Tutor Caroline Wright, PR specialist Katie Raby and many others. The Old Jet Community will provide mentoring, professional development support and industry opportunities to Airspace beneficiaries and are actively involved in shaping the programme. 

Timeframe

• 7th June: Crowdfunding campaign launched!
• 5th July: Crowdfunding campaign closed.
• July to December: Rewards delivered to benefactors (see rewards for details).
• August: Building work begins.
• September: First call-out for artist submissions is published.
• October: Decision made by Old Jet on first Airspace beneficiaries.
• December: Building work is completed and the first Airspace artists move in to their studios.

Available Rewards 

Featured: Darren Lynde Mann Artwork, "Memories"

£1,800

2021, Emulsion and Pastels on Calicio. Unframed measuring 56 x 60 cm.

Old Jet Tote

£10

100% cotton long handled screen printed tote bag.

"Being Here and Now" Workshop with Alex Menhams

£35

A joyful exploration of spontaneity and creativity at Old Jet. What happens when you follow an impulse? Or let go…of something? Chances are you’ll feel a rush of energy. Your creativity will flow. You might even surprise yourself. An interactive workshop with improviser and trainer Alex Menhams. You’ll get to connect with others, laugh and experiment with spontaneity in a happy state of flow. 2.5 hours for up to 10 people.

Old Jet A2 Print Poster

£40

Unframed 7 colour screen print on size A2 print on Fabriano Unica printmaking paper. Printed in England with eco-friendly inks.

"Digital Marketing Hats" Workshop by Nick Pandolfi

£75

A digital gallop at Old Jet on how to make social media a friend that helps get you exposure. Make time for digital content and help customers/clients find your talent!

Introduction to Crime-writing Workshop

Photo credit, Nick Illott

£75

Crime author Louise Millar shares the secrets behind writing a page-turning thriller at Old Jet (all levels of writing experience welcome).

Stained Glass Workshop led by Hassina Khan

£85 per person

Learn the basics of 'copper foil' stained glass at Hassina's studio in Old Jet delivered on 5th November. During the day you will learn about tools and materials and how to use them safely, develop skills in cutting, foiling and soldering glass, practise these skills using a pre-designed template design your own simple piece of stained glass and take away two completed pieces of stained glass that you have made yourself!

Egg Tempera Painting Class led by Caroline Wright

£85 per person

A practical workshop at Old Jet exploring the ancient medium of egg tempera. We will make and use our own egg tempera paint and learn about its significant history.

“Strengthening The Self", 3 One-to-One Sessions

£175

Actor and performance coach to Grammy award-winners and Hollywood actors Suzanna Pickering will guide you through three one-to-one sessions to hone in on what stands you out as an artist and individual. Banish the conflict between personal work and professional commitments to get to the heart of the artist you were born to be. Sessions can be delivered online or in person at Campsea Ashe in Suffolk.  

Leanna Stella Artwork, "Funnel Mushroom"

£195

Waterbased oils on Perspex, 31 x 35 cm framed.

Portrait Photoshoot with Nick Ilott

£200

Spend an hour or so at Nick's studio at Old Jet for a photoshoot for you and a friend! Receive up to 30 digital images.

Sophie Martin Artwork, "Utopia Bee"

£250

Spray paint and acrylic on ply, 30 x 30cm.

Velvet Cushions voucher from Kirsten Hecktermann

£400

A group of hand-dyed luxury velvet cushions, colours of your choice.

Simon Isaac Artwork, "Isolation 5"

£400

2022, 72cm x 55cm printed on Kodak metallic photographic paper, float-mounted in a bespoke matte black frame. From the body of work 'David Come Home'. This double exposure digital image consists of an analogue photograph of ventilation tubes in a nuclear submarine factory combined with a digital image of David, wearing a NASA space suit inside the cockpit of an Airbus A380. From an edition of 5.

Ian Sedge Artwork, "Aldeburgh Morning"

£450

Acrylic on canvas, 43x54cm.

A Concert in Your Own Home by Beatrice Nicholas

£750

Established Concert Pianist, Beatrice Nicholas will play a piano concert in your own home. Invite friends and family or organise a community event to indulge in this rare opportunity. To maximise the experience, please ensure that your instrument is tuned and is of sufficient quality for a concert performance to be given. Available to UK residents only. 

Adam Riches Artwork, “Chimpanzee Profile 3”

£2,600

2021, Oil on Wooden Panel. Framed in a black wooden box frame measuring 49 x 64 x 3.5 cm.

Sponsor an Artist

£5,000

By backing this reward you will be providing one of the first six Airspace beneficiaries with comprehensive professional development support, materials and equipment from which they can launch and establish their careers. Choose which medium/discipline you would like to support, meet the artist, receive original artwork/music from them, attend their events and be the patron to give them the best possible start to their career!

Sponsor a Studio

£15,000

The pinnacle offering. By sponsoring one of the first six Airspace studios you will be empowering multiple artistic talents to develop and launch their careers over the coming years. Visit the studios, meet the artists, receive original work from them and help build upon the region’s reputation as a hotbed of brilliant creative culture by modernising arts patronage and empowering the very best local artistic talents to fulfil their potential.

Sold Out!

Liz De Planta Artwork, "Angelique Tulips"

£250

13 x 13 inches, Oil on Board, unframed.

Limited Edition Book, "Cook, Eat, Perform"

£25

A wonderful fusion of artistic and cooking recipes to nourish both the performer and chef within! Kindly donated by Caroline Wright.

Sonia French Artwork, "Eye Study in Pencil"

£60

Beautiful hand-drawn image measuring 29.5 x 21 cm, unframed.

John French Sculpture, "Sing"

£60

Elegant hand-made woodcarving by our very own French John! Measures 25cm tall with an 8cm diameter base.  

Francesca Chalk Artwork, "Green Woodpecker"

 £65

Gicleé print from an original watercolour and collage piece, 210mm x 210mm, unframed.

How to Get Published in Creative Non-fiction

£50

A unique 1:1 workshop at Old Jet with published author Jack Cooke including a discussion of pitching ideas to agents and/or publishers with a follow up review of anything new you produce.

The Hat Artwork, "Guitar"

£2,000

This guitar has been donated to us via the very wonderful Print Room Studio.

The elusive artist who created it is known as ’The Hat’. He/she/they are a Robin Hood artist who donate pieces of work to raise money for good causes in the arts in Suffolk.

There are plenty of rumours about who The Hat might be. Is it Ed Sheeran? Only time will tell!

Jelly Green Artwork, "Wildflowers Behind Old Jet"

£960

Oil on Canvas Board, 18 x 13cm. "This piece was painted in the lockdown 2020 looking out of my studio window. There’s a big hill outside of Old Jet that in the spring every year has the most incredible wildflowers all over it. It was a very happy sight during a very grim time."

Simon Carter Artwork, "A Book of the Saltings"

£500

2021, Charcoal on Paper, 42 x 60cm. This drawing is for a series of two canvas paintings in progress, based on the similarity between a diptych and an open book. An image of the saltings drawn across the whole, but with slight disjunctures along the join.

Jelly Green Artwork, "Old Jet Wildflowers at Sunset"

£1150

Oil on Wood, 25 x 20cm. "This piece was painted in the lockdown 2020 looking out of my studio window. There’s a big hill outside of Old Jet that in the spring every year has the most incredible wildflowers all over it. It was a very happy sight during a very grim time."

Matt Moseley Lithographic Artwork

£150

A unique lithographic print by Matt Moseley & Tom Martin. 91cm x 69.5cm. Printed with archival inks on 300gsm Somerset velvet paper.

Tom Hodgkinson Artwork, "You've Changed"

£120

Mixed media collage, 30 x 30 cm canvas in a floating frame.

Liz de Planta Artwork, "Tree"

£195

8 x 6 inches, Oil on Board, unframed.

A Private Tour of The Eden Project by Peter Hampel

£250

The arts have always been central to Eden's vision and core purpose. Peter Hampel who was part of Eden's founding team and served for 15 years as Creative Director, takes you and up to three guests on a personal tour around Eden and explains the philosophy, creative process and the stories behind the design of the project and the major artworks and live music programmes.

A Day in the Studio with Jesse Quin

£500

Jesse welcomes you to his personal recording studio at Old Jet for a day's musical exploration and discovery!

Credits

Video by Current Bloom
Soundtrack - Prod. Venus

Contact

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about Airspace or would like any further details or images of the rewards and he'll be happy to help! 

Thank you for your support!