ARTISTS can unleash their creativity at a new recording space that has opened in Temple Cowley's high street.

Launching with a sold-out gig last week that featured neo-soul, folk and alternative music, a recording studio has been built in a disused shop in Between Towns Road by a local record label and charity.

Upcycled Sounds and charity, Fusion Arts have partnered up to create a creative space putting the environment at the heart of the project.

At the launch event, local Upcycled Sounds record artists, Theo, Rosie Caldecott, Limpet Space Race and Jay Sunaway, performed alongside a collage exhibition from local artist Kelvin Jenkins.

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As well as working around the world doing film and documentary sound, the record label is at the heart of several non-profit music initiatives in Oxford: a three-day music festival, a new venue and gig series at Tap Social, Tandem Arts Collective and annual international folk music exchange programmes and electronic music residentials.

Oxford Mail:

Hannah Jacobs from Upcycled Sounds said: “It was amazing to open our doors to so many excited people. The launch was packed out and we had a great night of music, art and conversations.

“People were blown away by how the space has transformed from a dilapidated empty shop to a colourful, vibey and inspiring studio - it’s almost unrecognisable.

"We’ve already had loads of people coming forward with creative ideas and projects for the space, so we’ve got lots to look forward to.”

The space has been completely transformed over the last few weeks by Upcycled Sounds Collective and Fusion Arts teams where they have cleaned up, restructured, soundproofed and decorated the shop entirely themselves, in line with their strong DIY and eco-friendly approach.

Oxford Mail:

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Alongside state-of-the-art audio equipment, they have sourced sustainable materials from local organisations including RAW Workshop, Oxford Wood Recycling, Emmaus and Orinoco Scrapstore.

One of the sound baffles is even triple upcycled from the remains of a previous Tandem Festival stage, originally made of rescued floorboards.

Fusion Arts, an Oxford arts, equality and education charity has been connecting artists with communities for more than 40 years and inspired bespoke creative projects.

Kieran Cox, artistic director of Fusion Arts said: “We chose to work with Upcycled Sounds as they are committed to DIY creativity, experimentation and diverse cultural programming. They run so many inspiring creative initiatives, supporting and developing artists, with positive social and environmental impact at the core."

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The group work with local artists, organisations, communities and landlords to open up underused spaces in Oxford for artists and communities to use.