Up close with Mozh Designs: The Hucknall Art studio offering painting workshops to the community

If you're nipping around the back of Hucknall, you may head down Annesley Road and expect to see the odd pub, a Fish & Chip shop, or an off-licence.

What may surprise you is the sight of a little art studio tucked away in a nondescript building near a zebra crossing.

This is Mozh Designs, and it has been instrumental in tackling the growing mental health crisis on a local scale.

With life beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels of normality, it's helping people reconnect with one another after such a long period of sporadic isolation, and teaching them new skills along the way.

The studio was founded by Mojgan Mehran, who came to the UK from Iran in 2002 with a degree in Graphic Design. Once here, she studied for a further art degree in Film and Television Production Design at Nottingham Trent University.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "I've always been very arty, anything to do with art, I've always wanted to give it a try. Having kids meant that I had to put this to the side, and started working on and off, different companies, both freelance and directly, mainly a medical innovation company."

Just before lockdown, Mojgan was looking to rediscover her passion and to get back into painting. As a student in Iran, she would paint in workshops with other people, her work going into various exhibitions. She was missing that aspect of art.

"I thought, I have the space, I'll just do it for myself. I started painting, just putting some of my work in the studio window. I wasn't optimistic about anything happening, but it's been really good. Much better than I thought!'

In summer 2021, enough restrictions were lifted so that Mojgan could have people in the space, and the studio was officially opened to the public.

This helped Mojgan with her own depression, having suffered a loss in the family. The studio was her private space, and her sanctuary suddenly came alive with the addition of people who came to be taught by her and find their healing in the work.

One of these students is Kalina Bailey, a project manager from Hucknall, who has been coming to the studio for nearly three months, both by herself and with her seven-year-old daughter. Working from home, she was spending the whole day in front of a screen and was looking to be able to be amongst 'real, living humans'. Kalina saw the advert for adult painting classes and wanted to get involved.

"For me, it's a form of meditation. I struggle with concentration in the sense that due to my work, I'm always planning. Painting helps me get lost in something without thinking of the outcome or next step. It's very relaxing."

Kalina confesses to not being very skilled in art. Having previously been limited to stick men, Mojgan is an endlessly patient and friendly teacher, making the process of learning fun.

The atmosphere of Mozh Studios is warm, and not just because of the wood-burning fire in the corner, or the coffee offered the moment you walk in. Mojgan herself is almost incandescent in her cheery demeanour, making you feel instantly at ease, her passion radiating from her like the heat from the stove.

Her students welcome you, proudly showing off their latest pieces and talking to you about their own journeys.

This includes, Mustafa, 49, who has suffered depression and had never before picked up a paintbrush. Over the past few months, he has found peace, solace and passion at the studio.

Mojgan's own work is extremely popular. From placing her paintings in the studio window and posting them on Instagram, over a dozen pieces were sold over the festive period as gifts. Pop Art styled work, has proven to be the biggest seller.

In 2022 things are looking bright for the little studio. Although the workshop requires some repair work, Mojgan is planning to remove the interior wall to create a larger space and finally hang a proper sign above the door.

In addition to the ongoing painting workshops for adults and children, there are also popular life drawing classes and in the summer, pottery and sculpture classes will be introduced. Mojgan also hopes to take a group of her school-age students to local care homes to give the elderly or infirm a chance to easily experience the joy of painting.

"Many people have said that we've never had anything like this in Hucknall, and how much it was needed," she adds.

Despite her recent success, Mojgan remains humble and surprised at how far the studio has come in such a short space of time.

This quirky little studio offers the chance to teach new skills, provide a space for infinite creativity and a place to escape, relax and even heal.

Mozh Studio can be contacted via Instagram here or through their website by clicking here.