Janine GriffithsSometimes the biggest cultural shifts start quietly.
Long before East Street Arts became a home for hundreds of creatives, its founders Jon Wakeman and Karen Watson were just two ceramicists hunting for somewhere to settle.
That practical necessity sparked a movement. They started to advertise, and soon enough, artists began to fill the mill. From an initial eight artists, the community grew exponentially; seven years later, they had taken over the entire top floor with 50 artists in residence.
Today, that footprint has expanded to roughly 300 to 400 artists across various sites, a growth driven by a simple willingness to grow their community. As Jon explained: “It really has just grown. Partly because we just say yes, we keep saying yes to artists, and we’re willing to experiment and try new things.”
Building a Community, Not Just a Studio
East Street Arts operates as a charity, but its soul is defined by the people within its walls. The organisation views itself as a bridge between creators and the city around them. “We want to engage with the community of artists and the community around us.” Jon explained.
Support for these artists goes beyond four walls and a roof. They provide specialised facilities like a kiln, a dark room, and even a risograph printing room, a type of digital stencil printer that produces vibrant prints quickly and cheaply, described as “a very cheap and quick way for artists to make artwork”. By offering residencies and collaborative opportunities, they help creators move their careers forward. For Jon Wakefield, the buildings themselves are the canvas: “It’s as much the creativity for us as seeing what you can do with buildings as much as what you can draw on a piece of paper”.
The studios buzz with a diversity of creative practices, from 3D printing and laser cutting to ceramics, painting, mosaic glass and printing workshops. This mix not only nurtures a wide spectrum of art forms but has also fostered a thriving community of artists who feed off each other’s energy and ideas.
East Street Arts also acts as a creative hub, home to organisations such as Mafwa Theatre and the Leeds Print Workshop, both of which bring their own energy and audiences into the building.
Standout Projects and Public Art
More than anything, East Street Arts has fundamentally changed the visual landscape of Leeds through major commissions. Their portfolio includes “Athena Rising,” the massive mural of owls above the train station, which was the city’s first large-scale mural of recent times.
Other projects carry deep social and political weight. Their buildings now feature permanent artworks, from the large mural facing the A64 made with Marching Out Together, the Leeds United LGBTQ supporters group, to a second piece by Palestinian artist, Taqi Spateen. This international connection remains vital, as they continue to develop links with Gaza photographers and the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.
Between 17 April and 9 May 2026, a new exhibition will showcase the work of Palestinian photographer and activist Fadi A. Thabet. Titled Explore Lens on Gaza: The Sun and Moon Still Rise, it offers a close look at daily life in Gaza and the human impact of the war on those who continue to live through it.
Underlying all of this is a commitment to inclusion and political awareness. By being responsive to the needs of the people who walk through their doors, East Street Arts has created a space where everyone belongs. Jon added: “We’ve always had a focus on inclusion, which is really important. What’s really interesting for me is those new communities coming in, for example, the new migrants, refugees and people settling here in Leeds. What art are they bringing with them?”. Their partnerships reflect this. East Street Arts works with new migrant and refugee groups, grassroots collectives in the UK and international collaborators.
The 25-Year Vision
While funding remains a constant challenge and the “corporate world” often looks for more “glamorous” projects, East Street Arts remains focused on the long game. They recently signed a 250 year lease for a new building in Keighley, a massive capital project intended to anchor the community for generations.
The goal has always been to create something that outlasts the individuals who started it.
“I’m more bothered about what’s happening in 25 years, rather than in a year’s time,” Jopn said, adding: “I’ll be happy if that building’s still there and functioning in 25 years, because that’s what really matters. We made a conscious decision to leave a lasting legacy.”
East Street Arts are based at Patrick Studios in East Leeds, but their reach extends far beyond the headquarters. They run studios in Holbeck, Keighley and Chapeltown, as well as a former hostel near Patrick Studios in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill.
Their commitment is unmistakable: to creativity, to solidarity, and to giving people a place to make meaningful work. In their own quiet, determined way, they have built a home for those who are too often overlooked.
