A NEW and vibrant community space for local artists and craftsmen has opened to the public in Weymouth.

Carthorse Creations, a gallery, workshop space and shop on Crescent Street in the town centre is celebrating the best of local workmanship.

The artistic space is the vision of Helen Beardon-Hambleton, Felix Thompson and Barbara Whiteside from Weymouth.

The trio wanted to create a supportive space for local artists after seeing craftspeople struggle at shows and festivals to find an outlet for their work in Weymouth.

Mrs Beardon-Hambleton, a talented silversmith, said: “The hardest part was thinking about how to make it happen.

“We had no funding and had to rewire and rebuild the space as it was unusable.

“Because we had no financial backing we have begged and borrowed, but we have managed to do most of it with volunteering and a great and supportive landlord.”

After getting the keys to the building on September 1, the team have worked tirelessly to get the doors open as quickly as possible. The shop is now open with the workshop space hopefully opening before Christmas Miss Whiteside said.

The new workspace is in an old carriage building with wooden beams and brick walls adding an extra rustic artistic touch.

The ultimate aim of the trio is to have community workshops, a wellness centre and meeting space for groups to visit and learn about different trades.

Miss Whiteside said: “It was Helen’s dream to get everyone’s work all under one roof to showcase it all. The artists pay a bit of rent for a space and it gives them an outlet to display their work.

“We hit a small wall with money but volunteers have been fabulous and helped out because it’s such a worthy cause. The volunteers come in for free and will do workshops and that is where the community thing comes in to get people involved.”

Gifts, jewellery and ornaments made from drift wood, glass, wool, beads and silver line every nook and cranny of the non-profit shop at affordable prices.

Miss Whiteside said: “All the pieces are made within Dorset, from jewellers, artists and crafters.”

“We just wanted to give back to all these people out there who are incredibly talented but don’t have a voice.”

Carthorse Creations are hosting a garage sale on Sunday, November 20 at 14 Crescent Street in Weymouth from 11am to 3pm. The shop is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm but closed on Tuesdays.