Rochdale's Own: In Conversation with Maryanne Royle from Ebor Studio

In this month's instalment of In Conversation With, we spoke to Maryanne Royle, who is Ebor Studio's Programme Manager and a sound artist from Rochdale.

What are the origins of Ebor Studio? Was there a specific “a-ha” moment that brought it to fruition?

Ebor Studio was founded in 2012 by artists Kara Lyons and Paul Heywood, who own the mill. As artists themselves, they saw the potential to transform the building into artist studios. Since then, Ebor has grown organically into an active creative community, with studios, a gallery and project space, workshop facilities and a community garden. It has continued to evolve in response to the needs and ambitions of the artist members who make it what it is today.

Who are the people behind Ebor Studio?

Ebor Studio Group is run by a small, dedicated team: Kara Lyons (Director), Maryanne Royle (Programme Manager), Aubrey Taeuber (Programme Assistant) and Emma Underwood (Social Media Manager).

We're artists ourselves, so we understand the realities of sustaining a creative practice and the value of having a supportive community around you. This experience informs how we work with our members, from creating opportunities for professional development to encouraging collaboration and helping artists connect with wider networks. We're passionate about creating an environment where artists can develop their practice, share knowledge and support one another.

What has been the biggest challenge for Ebor Studio over the years? How did you overcome it?

One of our biggest ongoing challenges is sustainability: how do we ensure Ebor continues to thrive and support artists into the future?

We return to our core values to help us answer that question: inspiration through community, development through sharing, creative belonging, and access to high-quality resources for creatives. These values guide our decisions and help us focus on what we can offer both our members and the wider community.

For example, we commission local artists to create ambitious projects that people across Rochdale can engage with, and provide our members with free, bookable project space and opportunities to develop their work. By staying connected to what artists need and what we want to achieve together, we can continue to grow in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable.

Tell us your favourite achievement of the Studio!

One of my favourite achievements has been opening up membership to artists who don't have a studio at Ebor. It has created so many new possibilities, allowing our membership to grow in both size and diversity of people and practices. We're now an active and evolving community of 30 artists and counting.

Membership is about more than having a space to work, it's about being part of a supportive network of artists, sharing ideas and knowledge, and accessing opportunities to develop your practice. We offer connections to a wider network of creative organisations, professional development and training, mentorship programmes, and opportunities for artists to be paid and supported in creating their work.

I'm particularly proud that we've created ways for artists to benefit from being part of Ebor, wherever they work. We want our members to feel connected, supported and able to take their practice in new directions.

Are there any upcoming events, programmes or exhibitions at Ebor you're particularly excited about?

Ebor is about to begin our biggest season of creative activity to date, running from January 2027 through to summer 2028. The programme will include exhibitions, workshops, a publication, film screenings, billboards, performances and much more.

I'm especially excited about our upcoming residency programme, which will give one of our artist members a funded residency at KARST in Plymouth. They'll have dedicated time and space to focus on their practice, alongside access to purpose built facilities and KARST's networks. This follows a residency we supported for one of our members in Schio, Italy, in June 2026.

Creating opportunities like these is an important part of what we do. We want to help our members develop their work, make new connections and access opportunities both in and beyond Rochdale. We're excited to build on this and create more national and international opportunities for our members in the future.

What impact does Ebor Studio have on Rochdale's community and local businesses?

We believe in the power of artists working collectively. Our members have told us that being part of Ebor has strengthened their ability to work professionally as artists and creatives in Rochdale, and we've seen that support translate into projects and collaborations across the area.

Alongside our own programme, we help members connect with other organisations and bring their ideas to life, from photo walks and sound installations to upcycling workshops and puppet theatre. This creates opportunities for artists to share their skills, reach new audiences and contribute to the cultural life of the borough.

For me, the wider impact is helping artists build sustainable practices and feel rooted in Rochdale. When artists have the support, connections and opportunities they need to thrive, the whole community benefits through greater access to ambitious, high-quality creative work and more opportunities to participate in local culture.