Market Hall - Ocean Studios Cafe in Plymouth

Walking in, the place gave off quite a rustic maritime feel. We were greeted by a Real Ideas Organisation employee called Tanneka, and she guided us through the studios. The studios were on display for everyone who walked past, and Tanneka explained that (for a fee) we could join their Arts Guild which would grant access to the studios. Since my forte is in 2D arts, I thought the rental studios were very quaint and I wanted to be in those rooms. As it turned out the Ocean Studios premises had more to offer: their print-making room was surprisingly ornate and low-tech. All the machines had to be operated manually, spare perhaps one rubber-topped exposure machine for silk screens. Another facility had a ginormous, impressive mural on the side of a warehouse. I certainly got the impression that the place knew how to foster creativity and this was further expanded when we were shown the kitchen station right on the end of a long hallway of studios. There There was also a jewelry station we got to visit that had a huge fume extractor in the centre, and a lot of benches around it for shaping and forming the jewels. I couldn't tell if they were rhinestones or not, but I shouldn't speculate like that. We also chanced upon a ceramic-work studio that was being rented, so nobody could enter. Zoe Clarke (my art teacher) and I had to peek through the glass slit in the door and what we could see must have been an ongoing project because it looked like they were coming back in a short while. The ceramics studio was being rented by someone who goes by 'Tweenie' - Zoe apparently has worked with them in the past. The tour ended where it began: the Collective Space Café. Along one wall were paintings that belonged to a collection aptly called 'Composed'! The colours used were all mute, but used well to draw my attention. On the whole I admired how they didn't take art so seriously like typical galleries - Tanneka was laid back and transparent; most of the rooms smelt of raw paint or canvas or flax (and not of artificial chemicals), and not to mention the allowed the guild's members to decorate their environment really goes to show that the place prioritises artistic values above all else. If given the chance to go again, I would. It would be worth keeping abreast with their website as it updates. CB

Big space, minimalist decor, friendly staff at counter, ample space for groups or even working snacks. Can get confused with the sister cafe at the Ocean Studios in the depths of the RWY. They are very different and at least a mile apart to walk or drive.