New site opens at Island Green in Wrexham city centre

The arrival of Hypha Studios and The Dispensary marks an "exciting step forward" for the centre, transforming a 15,000 square foot space into a vibrant cultural hub.

The creative collaboration officially opened its doors on October 26 with a new major exhibition set to run until December 10.

The project is designed to breathe new life into the shopping centre, offering the public access to contemporary art, free community events, and interactive workshops.

Hypha Studios and The Dispensary at Island Green (Image: Oliver Stephen)

Island Green, has experienced significant changes in recent years. Under new ownership, the centre has undergone substantial improvements, refocusing on providing diverse experiences for the community.

The introduction of Hypha Studios and The Dispensary is a key part of this transformation, reinforcing Island Green’s commitment to fostering creativity, culture, and community engagement.

The residency is centred around one major open exhibition, featuring artists both locally and internationally. Focusing on a diverse range of artwork, from large-scale paintings and ceramics to printmaking and performance art.

The residency also features free interactive workshops, artist talks, and live performances, making art accessible and engaging for all members of the community.

The site has also opened up the entire top floor to two artists as a workshop space, offering them the opportunity to produce work on a large scale. Traditionally these sites are unattainable to emerging artists, so this is a huge step forward for providing platforms to those who need it. 

The site at Island Green. (Image: Oliver Stephen) Camilla Cole, CEO of Hypha Studios said: “Working in Island Green in Wrexham is a really exciting opportunity to find and support North Wales' best emerging creatives with free exhibition spaces in the heart of where they live and work.

"The scale of this 15,000 sqft opportunity is huge and will pull in art lovers locally and from afar. After a call out we partnered with the brilliant Dispensary to launch a quest for artists to submit their work - all welcome!

"300 applied and of that number 50 were selected and their work installed in the former will create a new art loving community to add to the already brilliant Wrexham art scene."

Ryan Saunders and Chloe Goodwin, Curators, The Dispensary: “40 days, that’s how long we’ve had to put this show on.

"This is a reality and a total transparency with our audiences. The precarity of artist-led spaces is, for us, at its most fragile. These spaces are vital for keeping communities, and most importantly, friends, together supporting the desire to stay within the arts.

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"We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hypha Studios, your commitment to ensuring that artists have room to thrive, experiment, and connect has been invaluable, and your belief in the power of grassroots spaces is deeply appreciated.

"As we grapple with these challenges, we ask for understanding and support—not just for the spaces themselves, but for the artists who depend on them to foster their most daring ideas, and for the communities that come together within their walls.”

Jonathan Jessop, Savills Managing Agent Savills for Island Green Retail Park, added: “The arrival of Hypha Studios and The Dispensary marks an important milestone for Island Green.

“We’ve seen significant improvements across the shopping park, from infrastructure upgrades to exciting new tenants Island Green is now more than just a shopping destination – it’s a place where people can connect with culture, creativity, and community.”