Trymwood Studios
We founded Trymwood Studios in 2019 in order to share our love of art and nature with others. Over the past 5 years we have pursued this vision by curating exciting exhibitions of original artwork made by artists dedicated to a direct engagement with the natural world. We have also worked hard to combine our substantial teaching experience to provide a busy workshop and events programme promoting careful attention to nature through drawing and making.
Who we are
Hannah Athayde
I am a mum of four who delights in being outside and teaching all ages.
London-born and Cambridge-educated, I spent my early career pursuing doctoral studies in history and anthropology, working for the British Museum and undertaking artefact-based research in the Pacific region. I also taught undergraduate and postgraduate anthropology and privately tutored young people across the humanities. Moving to Bristol to have my large family, I was blessed by meeting Lucy and Nik during the challenging days of early parenthood. Determined to work together, we founded Trymwood Studios in 2019 where I now delight in supporting the team to run art-making workshops for all ages and stages and curating beautiful exhibitions of art work by artists committed to working outside, producing work that delights in the natural world.
​Lucy Pedlar
I love working at Trymwood Studios where I’m able to share my delight in the natural world, beautiful artwork and a playful art practice with people of all ages!
During my own education, in Fine Art, I was inspired by wonderful teachers in Bristol, Bath, Leeds, Madrid and London to develop my own practice in drawing, print, collage, sculpture and installation. I enjoyed several years as a practicing artist, undergoing residencies and contributing to projects both in the UK and abroad. This included making site specific work for the Melbourne Festival and the Pancevo Biennale in Serbia as well as contributing to exhibitions at Spike Island (where I was a studio holder for a number of years) in Bristol, London. Eastbourne and Marlborough.
Weaving through my art practice has been a passion for teaching and research, working with a range of different age groups. I was fortunate to work alongside and be trained by some of the country's leading gallery educationists at Arnolfini (Bristol), Leeds and Birmingham City Art Galleries, Milton Keynes Gallery, The Towner in Eastbourne, and Rabley Drawing Centre near Marlborough. These and other formative experiences mean that I am bubbling over with ideas for developing the education programme at Trymwood Studios! I love welcoming people of all ages to our unique and wonderful space and watching them grow in confidence as they learn to take risks and play within a safe and nurturing environment.
Hannah, Nik and I have a lot of fun devising the programme of exhibitions, events and workshops. Nik and I have two children who are often involved in projects and my parents, who own Trymwood and its beautiful garden, join workshops and help look after exhibitions. Running a small business can be a challenge but also deeply rewarding!
Nik Pollard
I am a mum of four who delights in being outside and teaching all ages.
London-born and Cambridge-educated, I spent my early career pursuing doctoral studies in history and anthropology, working for the British Museum and undertaking artefact-based research in the Pacific region. I also taught undergraduate and postgraduate anthropology and privately tutored young people across the humanities. Moving to Bristol to have my large family, I was blessed by meeting Lucy and Nik during the challenging days of early parenthood. Determined to work together, we founded Trymwood Studios in 2019 where I now delight in supporting the team to run art-making workshops for all ages and stages and curating beautiful exhibitions of art work by artists committed to working outside, producing work that delights in the natural world.
Our location
Located in the oldest part of Westbury-on-Trym, Trymwood Studios is a particularly special place, infused with a 400 year history and surrounded by beautiful woodland. Our studio and gallery spaces boast numerous pasts—at one time a stable and barn, later a kitchen and garage with sloping floors and original features continuing to remind us of what has gone before. During exhibitions these spaces are beautiful places to showcase original art work and outside of these times, guests can enjoy the barn as a place to stay with the barn transforming into a very special holiday home.
Trymwood Studios is also blessed with access to Trymwood garden, an orchard and meadow in which workshop participants can closely and creatively engage with the natural world. Whether 1 or 91, we encourage our visitors to be outside as much as possible and Trymwood gardens are the perfect place to experience the inspiration and tranquility that nature can offer.
What we offer
Alongside welcoming visitors to regular exhibitions at the gallery, we delight in running nature-based art workshops for all age groups. We offer regular weekly workshops for preschoolers and adults during term-time and occasional courses at the weekend. More recently, we have delighted in organising and hosting private events and parties for children and adults—all wonderful opportunities to engage with art and nature in a warm and welcoming environment.
Online Shop
Our dedication to share art and nature extends to our greetings cards collection—unique stationary featuring some of our favourite artworks, including inspiring information about the artist and subject.
Our website also includes online galleries showcasing the wonderful work we have shown during past exhibitions. Artwork is available to view and to buy from the comfort of your own home. It’s well worth a visit!