A FINE art student is calling on Northwich’s creative talents to show their flair as part of a new group.

Whitegate woman Carolyn Shepherd, who studied at Mid Cheshire College’s London Road Studios in 2001, has set up the London Road Collective to gather artists together and encourage them to think ‘outside the box’ about ways to engage with the community.

Carolyn said although it would be ideal for the group to be based within the studios, which is on the open market in preparation for the relocation of the college’s Arts Department in July, the main aim of the group was to gather artists together.

She said: “There is a lot of creative talent in Northwich but we don’t actually see it.

“People may be doing creative things and they have little groups but it is not really showing to the community.

“They have all got skills and talent but they are not necessarily doing anything outside of college.

“This is something specifically about working as a group, rather than as individuals.

“We are trying to get artists to think outside the box and have the confidence to be involved, and include the community as well.”

Carolyn is currently focussed on studying for a Masters in Fine Art and added that it would be a ‘dream’ if the group could be based at the site where she began her studies, as it is currently without a home.

For the meantime, members are discussing the idea of a pop-up studio in and around Northwich town centre.

“We might be popping up in Pop Up studios throughout the town and we are not going to let lack of venue stop us,” she added.

“We have more than enough talent here in Northwich and we have got a fabulous building and it would be great if someone bought it.

“The building has a great reputation nationally - people have heard of this college and not just as a little, local college.”

For further information about the collective, email Carolyn at artiepartie@mac.com.

Share your views at northwichguardian.co.uk.