The ‘ragtag’ bunch of Corby artists and their new creative studio

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The new RAG studios in Dale Street, Corby.

Poet, writer and community educator Donna Canale is one of the team behind Corby’s latest art project, the Rebel Art Group, or RAG. The acronym is important, because unusually it came before the name – the group liked the word and came up with a definition to fit.

Donna explains:

“We like ‘rag’ because to use it to describe a creative space subverts the expectation that what is on offer here is a bit unkempt. We like the extensions that go with the word, too – ragtag, ragtime and so on. Eventually, we settled on ‘rebel’ for the R, because it rolls off the tongue and, more importantly, fits our nonconformist attitude towards what a studio space should be.”

RAG is based in the unlikely location of a former industrial unit on Dale Street in Corby. The premises had been used for all sorts of businesses before RAG took over, including as a boxing gym.

“When we moved in, the whole place had quite a male energy. There was a ‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ mural on the end wall. We’ve painted over that! I should say, though, that this isn’t a women-only project. As well as the five of us* here today, artist Ian Blaza and poet Spike Pike are part of RAG.

“We knew we wanted our own space to work on our art, and once we’d decided that, we found these premises very quickly. The whole process just flowed, as though it was meant to be. Even so, it’s taken some courage to take it on, and it’s a bit of a leap for the landlord, too, who has been very supportive. It’s quite brave of him to rent to a ‘ragtag’ bunch of artists, but he really liked the idea and wanted to make it work.”

The team have done the bulk of the renovation themselves, and it’s needed a lot of work to transform the unit. They threw themselves into tackling the mammoth task of the makeover, learning the necessary skills as they went along. They constructed the walls that divide the unit into seven individual studio spaces (all let), plus another to be used for storage, and set about decorating the space, even painting the floor. There is a comfortable communal sitting area, too.

The artists getting the studio in shape.

The centre of the unit is an open space that anyone can use, as and when they need it. This flexibility is a key element, and extends into the studios, where artists are working on a range of projects and styles, including fine art, abstract pieces, textiles, writing and even Reiki. Now with the addition of plants, furnishings and decorative touches, the space is colourful and energetic, but with quiet corners, too.

“Some artists need to be around other people to be able to work, but others prefer to work alone. RAG has room for both. There’s no pressure to create or to be here at specified times. All the artists are free to come and go as they please. We do talk to each other a lot, but also respect each other’s ways of working. We’re offering a space that gives the individual artists room to work on their art in their own way, whatever that means. There’s no judgement.”

Having achieved stage one of the project – the building of the studios and preparation of the space – stage two will be exploring and gathering ideas on how RAG can work as a creative community in partnership within the vibrant creative industry that already exists in Corby.

“There are opportunities elsewhere in the Corby area for absolute beginners, and then there are places for established artists. We want our studios to be used by those who are developing their own creative practice. We can share our knowledge and skills, and also seek help from each other and outside sources. Down the line, we might well hold ad hoc exhibitions and open studios – and already we’re happy for people to drop in and have a chat any time if the shutters are up – but that’s not the main focus.

“We’re giving ourselves a year to get set up properly and to develop our practice here, whatever that turns out to be. We’re feeling our way and just going to see what grows out of it. For instance, we have plans for a small performance area, Alley Cat Theatre, so there’ll be opportunities for poetry, music and drama, too, but we have no fixed programme at the moment.

“In a way it’s about knowing what we don’t want. For instance, we don’t want to turn ourselves into curators. It’s about finding balance and allowing everything to lead on from the things we love to do. We must keep the joy, so we’ll be expanding tentatively. We’re not going to say, ‘We are this now, so we can’t be that.’

“Above all, RAG is an artist-led enterprise. We’re not here to prove anything to anyone.”