Studio40
A working studio, classroom, and gallery at the heart of Dartington.
Welcome to Studio 40, run by Artist tutor and curator Maria Moorhouse. The space serves as a dynamic classroom, gallery and artist studio, nestled within the stunning Dartington Hall Estate.
Join Maria for her engaging stone carving courses, explore the seasonal gallery exhibitions showcasing the incredible talents of local artists, or simply come and be inspired by art in a beautiful setting!
"Studio40 is a hidden gem of creative craftsmanship at the heart of the Dartington Estate"
I am Maria Moorhouse, and I run Studio40 as part of my creative practice as an artist. I continue to develop my career which I have nurtured for over three decades. My artist practice has always been driven by my passion for stone.
Stone Sculpture gives me a connection and grounding to the earth. It holds history in its formation and tells the story of metamorphic moments in time.The act of carving stone with hand tools and practicing mindful solitude is healing for the soul and has strong spiritual connections to being part of something much bigger than me.
My sculpture themes come from a spontaneous and direct method of carving called intuitive expression. I find when I overthink an idea something gets lost which blocks my progress to feel my way around the stone.I am very connected to my feminine energy, so my sculptures are based on this.
I am interested in sacred landmarks on the landscape and folklore which inspires my thought patterns when carving.l like to use the elements water as metaphors in my mark making and the my attention is focused based on the changing seasons and cycles of life.
Studio
Portfolio
"Learning to carve stone has been a life changing experience for me"
Limestone Carving 8 beginner Week Course
Wednesday 10-1 Full 9/9/26-28/10/26
A 8 week afternoon course for any level of ablilty to stone carving limestone.
The course will introduce you to the tools techniques and methods to shaping stone into sculptual forms. Bring an idea you would like to carve and I will teach you how to achieve it.
Course Fee £240 plus a fee for the stone you select.
Tools and materials supplied
No discounts for missed sessions
Clay Sculpture course
5 week blocks
block 1: 7/9/26 -5/10/26 block 2 :12/10/26-9/11/26 block 3 : 19/11/26-14/11/26
Join my engaging clay sculpture short courses, held in blocks of 5 sessions.You can choose to do one block or all subject to places being avalible
Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, the friendly environment will inspire your creativity. Unleash your artistic potential and create stunning sculptures while connecting with fellow art enthusiasts. Sign up today and start your sculpting journey!
Course Fee per 5 session block - £155 plus £14 for a bag of stonware clay split cost with firing with the group.
No discounts for missed sessions
Limestone 8 week Sculpture Course
Tuesday 8/9/26-27/10/26 10-1 Full
2-5 Available
The 8 week weekday limestone course is for those looking to refine your skills, Your tution will be within a group setting, with one to one teaching from me to guide you through the process of carving your sculpture.Our friendly environment will inspire your creativity. It is a great way to connecting with fellow art enthusiasts.
Tuesday mornings 10-1 fully booked
Tuesday Afternoon 2-5 Avaliblity
Course Fee-£240 Non refundable if you dont attend.
Instalments if needed are avalible .
The cost of a piece of stone which will vary depending on the stone you choose to carve.Pay once selected.
Please fill out the content form to book
£240 course fee plus cost of selected stone
No discounts for missed sessions
If the course is full you can be added to the waiting list for another termor join the beginner group on a tuesday afternoon.
Soapstone Workshop
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 10-3 Available
Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, I will guide you through the art of shaping stone into beautiful works of art. Discover the joy of working with your hands and leave with your own unique creation.over two days.
Course Fee £ 180 payable by bank transfer
please completed the contact form to book
non refundable booking.
Upcoming Courses
Classroom
Student Gallery
"I can’t imagine a life now without carving stone and feel forever grateful to Maria for her encouragement belief"
Studio 40 is also a pop up gallery. It offers a fresh light space for local artists around Devon. My aim with the gallery is to support artists in any stage of their careers to showcase their talent.
Studio 40 is situated on the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate, legendary for the arts. Studio 40 gallery is available as short Friday-Sunday bookings July and August annually. Enquire for available pop up bookings.
Previous Exhibitions include Tessa Blights large abstract paintings inspired by Dartmoor; multidisciplinary artist Thom Blane's solo show "Sketchbook", exploring sculpture, painting and graphic art; and Alison Hannah & Julia Toy's "After Japan" exhibition of Japanese inspired pottery. In September, Melina Clark Jeweller " 9 shells of Tara al Ghar "handcrafted and cast Jewelry.
In November, Catlin Pharoah, Photographer showed her
" Hidden Figures of the South West" collection highlighting crafts people from the South West. To end the year on 6th & 7th December 2025, Karina Eibatova showed her beautiful paintings and prints titled " Hope in Light and Colours".
Gallery
Emma Capper
8th & 9th August
'The story so far ' will be the solo exhibtion of expressive artist and certifed ANFT nature and forest therapist and craftswoman,Emma Capper. She runs creativejourneys forest walks for wellbeing. Emma has always had nature as her chief muse and refuge.She has consciously chosen places to live where there is easy access to wood or green space. Her baskery work and retrospective drawings and painting are the resulting inspriation of this.
Rowan Day
1st & 2nd August
Rowan Day will show an exhibition of oil paintings and charcoal drawings .Exploring the mystery of life, through a spirtual quest for freedom while stepping into love, translating her personal journey of meditation and discovery onto canvas.Deeply inspired by nature and the belief that divinity permeates every particle of creation.Rowan aims to communicate her inner experience, while capturing the compelling play between light and dark, beauty and chaos in the world around us.Her work speaks of hope,of light in the darkness and the dynamic motion of life and nature. Opening the doorway to the great beyond.
Sculptworks Spotlight
4th & 5th July
Sculptworks Spotlight open studio event showing work from Maria Moorouse stone carving and clay sculpture groups. Maria will have some of her stone sculptures for sale there will also be an opportunity to join a course for the Auturn.
www. studio-40.co.uk
@studio40devon
Lilly Louisa "Wildling
11th &12th July
Wildling is the debut solo exhibition of Devon artist and psychotherapist Lilly Lousia. The exhibtition presents a series of mixed media paintings, inspired by the process of discovering the 'inner garden' .Formed out of meditation practice,the process focues on visualising a garden to connect with your innerself and sow seeds of intention.The weorks are a direct reflection of that inner space- a place of stillness,play,growth,and light.Through the exploration of intuitive mark making, colour, texture,and organic form, the series embodies the process of returning to ourselves.
@lillylouisastudio
lilsartstudioshop.etsy.com
Vicky Emby
25th & 26th July
Birds and Landscapes is the solo exhibtion of Vicky Emby a local painter.Her main focous for the show are studies of wild british birds and her love of painting landscapes from sea to moor.
@vickyembyart
vickyemby.com
