Claremont Studios (CS) was founded in 2002 as an unincorporated group of artists based at 12 Claremont Hastings. The group was mentored by the building owners Caroline Le Breton and Jonathan Cole who had bought the dilapidated town centre building and were gradually restoring it. Their aim was to encourage individual artists to develop their practise, by forming a mutually supportive peer group which could become an active creative body initiating and delivering art projects within the town.
Over a ten year period CS activities involved fund raising, initiating, managing and curating exhibitions and community projects. Notably they ran a successful three year peer critique programme managed by Annabel Tilley, delivered projects for Coastal Currents Arts Festival and specialised in projects off-site with a strong social engagement agenda. CS were pro-active and vocal supporters of the proposed Hastings Jerwood Gallery extension.
In 2013 following the sale of 12 Claremont to East Sussex County Council for their proposed Hastings Central Library extension Claremont Studios relocated to 48 Kings Rd St Leonards on sea and became a CIC (Community Interest Company) With the support of Directors Christine Gist and Elise Liversedge they worked to build partnerships with European organisations. In 2014 seven years after her husbands death Caroline Le Breton resurrected ‘Dear Gordon’ an installation they had made together many years before. This was to be the final project and three years later the Community Interest Company was closed down.