Imagine artists working in a woodland studio. The Wytham Studio is such a place. It is located in the heart of Oxford University’s research woodlands.
The Wytham Studio is a visual arts research group. It explores how we perceive the environment. Skilled groups like scientists, craftspeople, and artists work here. They study how people interact with the world.
Dr. Robin Wilson, an anthropologist and printmaker, heads The Wytham Studio. Artist Rosie Fairfax-Cholmeley co-runs it. They collaborate with many people from visual and fine arts research. Robin and Rosie established The Wytham Studio in 2012.
Robin studies craft, creativity, and art. He uses a hands-on research method. Rosie is also an art teacher in Oxford. They both teach printmaking at the Bodleian Library Bibliographic Press.
The Wytham Studio combines text and images. They use moveable wood and lead letterpress type. They also carve Lino or wooden blocks. Then they print them on their presses. At the studio in the Woods, they have an Albion Press from the 1850s. In their Oxford workshop, they have Vandercook and Heidelberg presses.
Robin runs the Japanese Woodfired Ceramics Project. The Wytham Studio is regularly open to the public. They run printmaking workshops for schools, art colleges, and local groups. The Wytham Studio coordinates arts and science events in the Woods. They exhibit at galleries and museums.
One major project is a collaboration with Isezaki Jun. He is a Japanese National Living Treasure. Together, they are building two traditional Anagama Kilns.
The Wytham Studio also designed the Walking and Habitats Map of the Woods. They hope to offer Wytham Woods kiln-fired pottery mugs in the future.
Wytham Woods welcomes about 20,000 visitors each year. Many school groups use the woods. They participate in walks, talks, and activities. The Conservator organizes these events.
You can find The Wytham Studio in Wytham Woods. These woods are Oxford University’s research area. Almost one thousand scientific papers have come from work done here. The Woods cover one thousand acres. They include meadows, fens, ponds, and woodlands. There are ancient woods and recent plantations. In 1950, Wytham Woods became an SSSI.
Access to the woods usually requires a permit. You can get one for free online. The Wytham Studio continues to inspire and educate. It connects art, science, and nature.