A painter and sculptor has opened a second outlet in Suffolk to showcase her own works and that of other artists.

Sculptural jewellery designer Albany Tripp, 27, launched Sakura Studio Gallery at Stonham Barns Park retail village near Debenham eight months ago.

It proved so successful she has acquired an additional outlet - doubling her studio space - so that she can accommodate works by a growing number of creative start-ups.

She will also be running classes, workshops and exhibitions starting in May.

Albany - who grew up in Snape and now lives in Diss - will be hosting works such as jewellery, figurative drawings, photographic prints, miniature sculptures and pargetting and earthenware pieces from artists across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.

As well as producing her own artwork, she is also bringing up her two-year-old son Kai.

"I am optimistic and overwhelmed by the positive responses received already – and very excited going into our second year supporting and encouraging new artists in their creative pursuits," she said.

"Suffolk and Norfolk are bursting with creative talent and there are many hidden studio gems tucked away here.

"I knew that setting up a new studio to add to the selection would be a good idea but what has surprised me is how much the art community here supports each other.

"It’s not about competition – like it is in the cities - but collaboration which makes it work."

As a child she would visit Stonham Barns Park and later took part in craft events as a trader.

"My dad taught me how to use a camera and take photos of the owls and other birds of prey in flight there. It’s clearly a very popular family venue and it is just the place I thought would work for my new studio."

Albany is part-Indonesian and her partner is Filipino so feels a strong connection to South East Asia and East Asia which influence her work.

She comes from a family of artists - her grandfather used to paint, her mum would sketch and draw, and her dad taught her the basics of photography.

She went on to study art in school and college and spent the last year volunteering at the Octagon Contemporary Crafts space in Diss.

"I enjoy experimenting and seeing what comes from free thinking and the use of different art mediums.

"My pieces are all the product of my thoughts and feelings wrapped up in art. It really is all about diversity and the freedom to choose what to do on any given piece."

Retailers at Stonham Barns had been very welcoming, she  added.

"It’s all very exciting and I am hugely optimistic about what the future holds for me as an artist in Suffolk."

Sakura Studio Gallery is holdng its first exhibition in May called Through Our Eyes to raise money and support the Suffolk Sight Charity.  

Classes and workshops start in February with some guest artists featured over the coming year.