Contemporary Art Space in Horwich
Exhibitions | Workshops | Life Drawing | Artist Community
GALLERY OPENING TIMES: Friday & Saturday 12–4pm
when exhibitions are on.
Please consider subscribing for notifications of events as and when they are happening
Sunday through to Thursday are appointments only due to workshops being run
Next Exhibition Starts 23rd October 2026
Art For Solace - Franki Beddows
Open evening 7pm – 9pm
Exhibition continues over the WEEKEND
Saturday 24th 12 – 4pm
Sunday 25th 12 – 4pm
Franki Returns to the BL6Studios this October
Preview with Wine & Nibbles 23rd October 2026
Franki Beddows doesn’t paint pretty pictures.
She paints the things that appear when you stop trying to control the canvas. Faces. Creatures. Half-seen figures. Strange little worlds. Grief. Humour. Darkness. Light.
Visiting The Studio & Gallery
Our Location and Parking Info

The Story of BL6 Studios
BL6 Studios was established in 2013 by John Bentley and Julia Entwistle.
The intention was simple. John needed a dedicated space for his photography, and Julia needed a working studio for her romantic oil paintings. Rather than work separately, they chose to create a shared creative environment where both disciplines could exist side by side.
Over the years the studio has welcomed many artists who have come to work, exhibit, and collaborate within the space. Julia has hosted numerous workshops and small pop-up exhibitions, often dedicating an entire weekend to a single artist so visitors could spend time properly engaging with the work.
During this period John also began developing his distinctive art portrait work within the studio environment. His exploration of painterly portrait photography grew from this setting before later moving into Bolton town centre with Project22.
In 2023 John returned to BL6 Studios, bringing the work back to where it began.
Today John and Julia continue to run the space together, encouraging people to step into the creative environment and better understand the role artists play in shaping culture, conversation, and community.
BL6 Studios exists not simply as a place to show work, but as a place where artists and visitors can meet, talk, learn, and invest in the creative life that keeps our cultural landscape alive.
BL6 Studios
The Pumphouse Hampson Street Horwich Bolton BL6 7JH
Studio Access
BL6 Studios operates on an appointment-only basis unless an exhibition is taking place.
During exhibition periods, the studio and gallery are open to the public at specific times.
These dates and opening hours are always published on the website and shared via email in advance.
If you sign up to the mailing list, you will receive these updates regularly.
Typically every two weeks, and occasionally weekly when there are events, exhibitions or workshops running.
If you do happen to Subscribe to the emails, and find that you are getting too many, PLEASE just unsubscribe.
Marking us as SPAM will often damage the email subscriptions for the studios, and other subscribers.
THIS APPLIES TO ALL BUSINESSES NOT JUST OURS
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Long Pose Painting Day – Sat 7th November 2026
Long Pose Painting day This event is being held on SATURDAY 7th November from 12 - 4 pm and will include a light lunch (vegetarian and vegan option available) attendees can bring their own if they so wish. Tea and coffee are provided throughout the day. There will...
Learn to Paint Course in November 2026
Learn To Paint: NOVEMBER 2026A TUTORED COURSE OVER THREE WEEKS:WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS 4TH, 11TH AND 18THFROM 1 pm - 3 pmNo experience needed — just a willingness to have a go. This three-week beginner painting course is designed to help you build confidence with paint...
Progressive Painting Course in Nov (Thursdays) 1 pm – 3 pm
Progressive Painting Course in November 2026 (Afternoons) This is a follow up course for those who have already covered our beginners level. It will run OVER THREE WEEKS in Nov on THURSDAY AFTERNOONS 12th, 19th and 26th from 1 pm - 3pm. This course is £90 and...
Studio Journal & Art Tips | BL6 Studios Horwich
Exhibitions
Click to learn read more about the artist
Events near me
Parking
Parking directly outside BL6 Studios on Hampson Street can be unpredictable.
On any given day, it could be completely empty or completely chock-a-block. There are a number of active businesses in the area, so spaces come and go throughout the day, and there are no designated parking bays for the studio.
There is usually parking on nearby streets including Wright Street, Julia Street, Lord Street, Peter Martin Street, Dickinson Street and Brady Street.
You may also find spaces on Hope Street, as well as Scholes Bank, Lee Lane and Lever Park Avenue, all within a short walk of the studio.
In most cases, you will find somewhere to park nearby. It may simply involve a short walk of around 150–200 yards.
If you are delivering or collecting artwork, we can usually accommodate short-term access directly outside the studio. You just need to let us know in advance so we can plan for your arrival.
So while you might not get a space right outside the door, you will get parked. It just depends whether you want immediate access or are happy with a brief walk.


