Sarah Thorp is the owner and founder of Room 212 and the 212 Eco House – a gallery / shop and studio / guesthouse. These places are also her family home and work space. Sarah also co-owns 212 Productions, a fine art printing business. She is passionate about promoting local artists and independent shops. In 2017 she was nominated a Local Legend by Revive and Thrive http://reviveandthrive.co.uk/uks-local-legend and a High Street Hero by The Small Awards http://thesmallawards.uk

Sarah is a mixed media artist and sells her work at Room 212. She is a member of the North Bristol Artists http://www.northbristolartists.org.uk and handles press and publicity for the North Bristol Art Trail as well as writing articles for national magazines. In 2013, Sarah decided to bring together all her art contacts under one roof. Room 212 was originally a pop up art gallery on Gloucester Road (the longest street of independent shops in Europe) and seemed the perfect setting. Her concept for Room 212 was to provide a hub for local artists, both established and emerging. Most of the artists help in the shop and this gives Sarah a chance to brainstorm ideas for the monthly themes, exhibitions and events for which Room 212 has become renowned.

As a business owner and resident on Gloucester Rd, Sarah has been instrumental in creating Glos Rd Central, to promote the independent traders and community groups in the area and improve the street scene. She has helped put on events such as Mayfest, the North Bristol Art Trail and Gloucester Road Christmas Street Party and is a nominated Champion for the Avon Wildlife My Wild City Project http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk She introduced planters of flowers and shrubs out on the wide pavements of Gloucester Road funded by the local BCR Neighbourhood Partnership (for which she is the Trader Rep). The installation of planters was filmed by BBC Springwatch which was aired in May 2016. She is now working on a plan to install artist designed street banners along the whole length of Gloucester Road. Sarah runs an active Glos Rd Central facebook and twitter account.

Sarah was commissioned to create a painting for the second series of ITVs Broachurch. Her painting appeared in the Latimer’s house. It then appeared in the police station in series 4. A print of the painting is available at Room 212

Sarah is passionate about environmental issues and created the 212 Eco House to the rear of Room 212. This lovely little house was built with sustainable materials and has a flower filled garden, living willow hedge and 2 living roofs to encourage bees and other pollinators. The Eco House is Sarah’s venue on the North Bristol Art Trail, a rentable guesthouse and has been a space for art and environmental themed workshops, such as Weave a Wicker Fox and a Guest House. Sarah hopes that visitors will be inspired by the house and garden and will the sustainable and upcycling ideas on show.

Sarah creates the Room 212 window displays to reflect seasonal / natural themes and Bristol wide events such as the, the Harbourside Festival and Balloon Fiesta. She takes part in various environmental events in Bristol such as The Big Green Week and Bristol Green Open Doors. She was especially active while Bristol was the European Green Capital and created the Food Street Pocket for the Green Treasure Trail in the Bishopston Cotham Redland area.

All in all, Sarah Thorp has found herself at the forefront of a buzzing and creative scene in Bristol. Her energy and enthusiasm has ensured that Room 212 is a welcoming and eclectic showcase to the artistic talents of those around her and she loves every minute of being there!