I’m lucky enough to have moved from my old base in the city centre to The John Marley Centre, a fantastic new studio in a recently renovated art deco styled, grade II listed building.
The building boasts some special original art deco features, including fantastic parquet flooring, decorative wood-panelled walls and detailed ceiling and window engravings. Large floor to ceiling windows allows lots of natural light to enter the building.
The John Marley Centre was built in 1936, used initially as a secondary school, but closed in 1992, then reopened in 1994 as part of the Newcastle College Campus.
It was named after Sir John Marley, who King Charles I named Military Governor of Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1639 he was knighted and was also mayor of Newcastle on 3 occasions. Marley defended Newcastle during the lengthy siege of 1644.