Stonham Barns Park Art Business Scoops More Awards

Founded by young mother Albany Tripp in February 2023, Sakura Studio Gallery is an art space dedicated to showcasing independent artists and providing a space for visitors to try out and experiment with their own creativity with the wide variety of workshops on offer, led by a variety of local creators. Sakura Studio Gallery previously won the 2024 East of England Creative StartUp of the Year and Albany went on to compete at the National Final – with her toddler and newborn – where she was 1 of 9 Regional Winners competing for National title. 

To this Albany has added, Winner of the Business Awards UK Startup Businesswoman of the Year Award 2025, 2025 East of England Rural StartUp of the Year with UK StartUp Awards, and SME News Best Independent Art Gallery & Creative Workshop Space 2025.

Since its launch, Albany has expanded and evolved the creative hub – extending the studio and adding a wider variety of workshops, social craft mornings and working with her visitors and artists to develop a space that is accessible, affordable and community focused.

Albany says: ‘It is incredibly overwhelming to have won and been nominated for so many awards in less than 3 years since we first launched. When I created Sakura Studio Gallery, I wanted to create something different, to support our local artists, creatives and wider community. I feel like my studio does that, and as a result I am achieving more than I could have ever wished for in terms of business success.’

‘I enjoy the company of other people from the arts community, and we all work together to be the very best we can be. The studio wouldn’t work without our creators and visitors driving it and how we have developed over the last three years. The fact that this has been recognised by multiple awards is the best news of all.’

‘This business allows me to pour myself into doing what I love while being the best mother I can be to my family.’

‘And as a small rural business, we wouldn’t be where we are without the support of our artists and visitors, along with our fellow local businesses and the team at Stonham Barns Park.’

Stonham Barns Park Retail Village is growing year on year now with 44 outlets including Stonham Garden and Home Centre, Carters of Suffolk, Hemingstone Frames, Hot Tub Village, Tiger Sheds, Stonham Village Stores, Suffolk Bridal Outlet, The Beauty Barn, The Vintage Cellar, The Book Cellar and The Little Dance Barn, The Pet Grooming Barn, the Attic, Stone Rose Crystals, Suffolk Rifle Repairs, The Beauty Barn, TJ Jacks Hair Studio, Village Stores, Elegant Hair & Beauty, Go Cruise and Travel, Molly Blog Olde Sweet Shop, Mrs A Antiques & Collectables, Wildlife Creations in Wood, Among the most recent retail additions to the village are GG Trading Cards, The Serpent and Rose Tattoo Studio, Glen’s Collectables, Emmett’s Emporium, Ben’s Corals, LA 3D Print Artistry and Bella’s Pet Shop.

For further info on Sakura Studio Gallery please call 07859 093 855, email sakurastudiogallery@gmail.com or visit www.sakurastudiogallery.shop