About
Sawdust is a creative fabrication workshop and placemaking organisation based in Teesside. We provide affordable access to professional equipment, workspace and technical knowledge so artists can produce ambitious work locally.
We believe creative people should not have to leave the region or work in isolation to realise their ideas. By maintaining shared infrastructure, we make it possible for more work to be designed, built and seen here.
Alongside supporting independent practice, Sawdust develops and delivers projects in public space. We work with partners and communities to test ideas, improve how places function and bring imagination into everyday environments.
01
The Workshop & Classes
Our workshop provides open access fabrication facilities, memberships, classes and specialist CNC support. It is the foundation that allows artists and makers to develop their work sustainably.
02
Placemaking & Outreach
Our work connects the skills and capacity of the workshop to streets, neighbourhoods and town centres. We collaborate on practical interventions that encourage people to gather, stay and feel ownership of their surroundings.
03
Commercial Fabrication
Our commercial arm generates income through commissions, furniture production and technical services. This revenue helps sustain the workshop and enables continued community benefit for the region.
Who We Are
Will Hughes
Founding Director
Will Hughes is a sculptor, project manager and curator based in Teesside. A graduate of Bath Spa University and the BxNU Institute, their practice is supported by significant national recognition including fellowships, awards and major development programmes, most recently being named Tees Valley Visual Artist of the Year. Alongside their studio work, Will plays a key role in delivering exhibitions, commissions and artist development through their work with The Auxiliary and Middlesbrough Art Week, supporting production, installation and professional growth for artists across the region.
Bobbie Bailey
Founding Director
Bobbie Bailey is a placemaking consultant and researcher working across arts, community development and urban regeneration. His practice focuses on activating underused spaces through practical, small-scale interventions, with experience delivering projects alongside local partners throughout Teesside. Bobbie’s work centres on helping communities shape their environment and build lasting, positive change. He collaborates with local authorities, arts organisations, businesses and residents to beautify public spaces and build vibrancy to Teesside’s urban centres.
Eve Cromwell
Director
Evelyn Cromwell is an artist originally from North Yorkshire, living in the North-East. After graduating from University of Sunderland with a degree in Glass and Ceramics in 2017, she now creates sculpture and design pieces in a range of materials. Eve is also one half of Spaghetti Factory, a curatorial duo and is part of a small team who organises collaborative, community based exhibitions called “Now That’s What I Call Art”. As well as maintaining a personal practice, Eve also fabricates objects for other artists and installs exhibitions in galleries around the region.