Krowji, fire Redruth, Crowdfunder raises thousands

The appeal was set up after the fire at the site of the old Redruth Grammar School destroyed a single storey building on the site in West Park in the Blowing House area of the town. The building contained the work and equipment of a number of artists.

By 3.26pm the fundraising page had already raised £4,313.

The blaze destroyed Jo Wojtowycz's studio. Picture Jo Wojtowycz

Jo Wojtowycz a ceramic designer maker at Krowji said she had lost everything in the fire and appealed on Facebook for help in replacing her equipment.

"So you might have heard my studio amongst others has gone up in smoke," she said. "Shortly I'll be looking to gather equipment once again. Anyone have any spare kit I could purchase? I will need a kiln of some description...does anyone have one tucked away they would like to sell?"

The building was well alight. Picture Jodie Edwards

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Charlie Coleman who has set up the page said: "Krowji is not just charity offices or a gallery but a living, breathing home to many artists and creative minds from all walks of life. Many of these tenants will have just lost artwork to not just the fire, but smoke and water too.

"Art is not something a simple small insurance check can solve, and many will have lost work that may have taken months if not years to produce, and would thus have now lost their livelihood.

"Krowji will be well known to many art fans for organising and being at the centre of Cornwall's annual Open Studios event, where artists across the county open up the private studios and homes to the public to come in and see inside their lives (and heads too) and possibly, especially for the artists, buy some artwork too.

"Having owned The Melting Pot cafe at Krowji for it's last three years before it closed down, I had the pleasure and privilege to serve and make friends with many of the tenants and I know this has come as a crippling blow to some who have already suffered from not just the problems of Covid, but also drastic cuts in financial support for the art community.

"So I ask if you can help too, even if it's just the price of your next coffee."

You can donate here

Pictures of the devastated building were posted by St Ives fire brigade

RedYOUth Community Youth Group is calling on all artists who can't donate financially to grab some art supplies and create their own work of art in support.

"After the sad news of the Krowji fire this morning, I have spoken to a few artist friends who have been impacted. It really has devastated them.

"If, like me, you feel like you’d like to help but can’t donate to the financial relief, why not grab some art supplies this rainy Sunday and have your RedYOUther create their own work of art.

"Show the artists that creativity is stronger than anything. If you’d like to bring the art along to classes these next few weeks, I’m putting together a portfolio to give to Krowji eventually."

Pictures of the devastated building were posted by St Ives fire brigade

Redruth Charity Trust posted: "We are sad to hear about the fire at Krowji this morning, and thinking of the resident artists that will be worrying about their studios, tools and work contained in the affected block.

While The Craft Collective Shop said: "This morning we woke to the devastating news of a terrible fire at Krowji, affecting many of the wonderful artists and business that work there, including some of our much loved stockists.

"To all our friends at Krowji we send you all our love and please know that if there is anything we can do to help, we’re here."

Emergency services received the first call at 6.38am this morning to the Krowji building on fire at in the Blowinghouse Hill area of Redruth.

On arrival crews confirmed that the building was well alight and asked for four pumps. By 8.24 up to 11 pumps were at the scene and an aerial ladder was brought in to try and bring the flames under control.

The fire was eventually brought under control but not before one of the studio blocks had been destroyed.