Paintmakers

Florence Paintmakers

Florence Paintmakers originated from a residency by visual artist Mat Do in 2012, titled "Egremont Red”— which envisioned a new industry for the Florence site, drawing on its mining heritage.

This was achieved through the creation of a new social enterprise in collaboration with a group of local people. Driven by their passion for art and colour, they began producing paint-grade pigment from the remaining stocks of iron ore. The mine once produced vast quantities of high quality haematite for the steel-making industry at Workington and Millom between 1947 and 2007, when it finally closed. There is also a long history of using the ore in ‘ruddle’ to mark sheep, as well as in domestic and industrial paints, and even in makeup.

In Mat’s project, the former shower block of the mine was temporarily transformed into a custom paint-making studio and manufacturing facility. Four local artists—Jenni Payne, Jill Davis, Liz Redmayne, and Margie Foots—volunteered to develop a saleable oil paint product. Their hard work and commitment eventually led to the establishment of Florence Paintmakers. The enterprise registered as a cooperative in 2012 and expanded its range to include watercolours, pastels and ink.

Our two part-time Paintmakers now produce hand-made artist materials from a selection of Cumbrian minerals. These materials create a beautiful earthy palette featuring St. Bees Yellow, Kirby Grey and Honister Green, along with a range of shades and mixes. The range of products made onsite at Florence Mine include watercolours, pastels and Egremont Red drawing ink, and oil paint.

Read more about the artists and artworks involved in Mat’s project and the history of Florence Paintmakers here