The Charleston Trust has launched a £250,000 fundraising campaign called Studio 100 to urgently repair a century-old studio at Charleston in Firle, East Sussex. The studio, originally built in a chicken shed in 1925 by artists Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, and Roger Fry, was intended as a temporary space but has become a globally significant site. The total project cost is about £470,000, with support already secured from Arts Council England. Repairs will focus on the roof, windows, doors, and fragile painted surfaces, along with installing climate control systems, scheduled from November 2026 to April 2027.
This matters because Charleston was a gathering point for some of the 20th century's most radical artists, including members of the Bloomsbury Group, and the studio represents a unique fusion of art, life, and community. Without these urgent repairs, the studio's fragile structure and artworks could deteriorate, risking the loss of an irreplaceable cultural landmark. The campaign ensures the space can continue to inspire future generations of artists and visitors, preserving an important chapter of modern art history.