ABOUT

The Florence Trust was founded as an educational charity by painter Patrick Hamilton and opened its doors to artists in 1990 with support from English Heritage and the Council for the Care of Churches.

Hamilton had worked in a large communal studio in Florence, Italy and was inspired to replicate the beautiful surroundings and atmosphere of exchange that he had found so productive, in London.

At the Florence Trust he created a place where exchange with other artists is productively encouraged and where the surroundings themselves add beauty and inspiration.

The Florence Trust was located at St Saviours, Highbury, a unique, Grade-1 listed, neo-gothic, former Anglican church, considered one of the best examples of the work of eccentric architect William White (1825-1900).

In 2023 The Florence Trust moved to its new home at Holy Trinty, to re-establish the residency program and carry on its work in supporting artists.

Due to COVID the residency was suspended in 2020 and the Florence Trust began searching for a new location to house its programme.

In the intervening period the Florence Trust has run affordable studios space in St Saviours as well as the Charity Girls School, Edmonton.

In November 2023 the Florence Trust was offered a new temporary home at Holy Trinity, Cloudesley Square, from which to re-establish the residency scheme.

Due to the meanwhile nature of this space, the residency will last for 15 months rather than the traditional 12.

Once again 12 artists will be invited to take part but this time there will be a focus towards the wider London Art calendar, our in-house Gallery partner and a commitment to engage with the local community through open studios and workshops.

“Unless one says goodbye to what one loves, and unless one travels to completely new territories, one can expect merely a long wearing away of oneself and an eventual extinction.” (Jean Dubuffet) The quotation that inspired Patrick Hamilton to found the Florence Trust.