ArtHouse Jersey and Andium Homes have confirmed that local artists Hayley Gibaut and Sophie Harris will continue their residency at Cyril Le Marquand Court for a further three years, following the success of the first year of their community studio, ‘The Stoodio’.
The ground-floor studio space, made available through the partnership between ArtHouse Jersey and Andium Homes, has grown into a thriving creative hub rooted in community, accessibility and artistic opportunity. Over the past year, The Stoodio has welcomed hundreds of people through its doors, offering free and inclusive creative activities designed to remove barriers to participation and encourage people of all abilities to reconnect with their creativity.
Regular sessions such as the weekly Sketch Social have created a welcoming and supportive environment where participants can experiment, meet others, and build confidence in their creative practice. The Stoodio’s first exhibition, The Space Between Us, showcased both established and newly discovered artists from the community, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to providing genuine pathways into the arts.
Partnership working has been central to the project’s success. Hayley and Sophie became Connectors with Connect Me and collaborated with Liberate Jersey on the widely supported Chalk Support event, which brought together more than 100 participants and received significant public attention for its positive community impact. They were also invited by ArtHouse Jersey to deliver workshops alongside the Bubbletecture installation and at the Folk Festival, engaging over 100 children and adults in collaborative making. Their involvement in the MAPS education project has further enabled them to work directly with schools, including Mont A’Labbe, delivering sensory and experimental art experiences.
Alongside public programming, The Stoodio has expanded into community talks, private workshops and celebratory events, introducing new audiences to the benefits of creativity for wellbeing, connection, self-expression and, above all, fun. The past year has demonstrated not only the demand for inclusive creative spaces in Jersey, but also the vital role The Stoodio plays in strengthening community through art.
Looking ahead, Hayley and Sophie plan to build on this momentum with an expanded programme of workshops, exhibitions and community-led events. Alongside their free sessions, they aim to grow a sustainable programme of paid workshops and creative experiences that support full-time artistic practice while creating meaningful opportunities for emerging local artists.
Collaboration will remain central to their approach. They are developing their partnership with Andium Homes to deliver creative events for residents, encouraging artistic exploration at home and supporting community wellbeing. Their relationship with ArtHouse Jersey continues to flourish, beginning with the collaborative MAPS exhibition, LOOK, running from 12 February to 1 March, with further joint initiatives planned throughout the year. They also hope to work more closely with local organisations, charities, hotels and businesses to deliver inclusive, wellbeing-focused creative experiences, from team-building sessions to large-scale public events.
Artists Hayley Gibaut and Sophie Harris said: “We’re absolutely overjoyed to be extending The Stoodio in this space. It was never a one-year project for us, our passion comes from a deep belief in the power of art to bring people together and strengthen community. Being given this extension really affirms why spaces like this are needed, and we’re incredibly grateful for the trust and support shown to us. We’d like to sincerely thank Andium and ArtHouse Jersey for believing in the vision and helping us continue to grow something that truly belongs to the community.”
Chief Executive of ArtHouse Jersey, Tom Dingle, said: “The impact Hayley and Sophie have made in just one year has been remarkable. The Stoodio has become a genuinely welcoming, creative and socially valuable space, and it’s a brilliant example of what can happen when artists are given the time, trust and right environment to develop something meaningful for their community. We’re delighted to be extending this partnership with Andium Homes and to support Hayley and Sophie for a further three years as The Stoodio continues to grow, evolve and reach even more people across the Island.”
Lindsay Wood, Chief Executive of Andium Homes, said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue supporting this partnership between ArtHouse Jersey, Andium Homes and the talented artists behind The Stoodio. At its heart, this initiative embodies our values of creativity, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to our community. We’re delighted to support the next phase of this journey and look forward to seeing even more people across the Island benefit from Hayley and Sophie’s hard work and passion.”
Pictured: Left to right – Sophie Harris and Hayley Gibaut.
