The Coniston art studio has been conducting art workshops in urban, contemporary and graphic mediums for the past year.

The studio is in a warehouse and provides a large, functional space for artists to experiment and learn new techniques in a non-graded environment.

Studio owner Trina Collins said AAAS offered a different experience to other art institutions, focusing on contemporary art.

Having run the same gauntlet of rough seas that many new businesses go through in their first year of operation, Ms Collins said she was proud to reach the one-year milestone.

"It was hard, especially the first six months, as I had no money to market the studio so I was relying solely on word of mouth and social media," she said.

"Slowly new faces started to come in to purchase materials, sign up for workshops or just see what the studio was about and it started to snowball. I started out teaching around 10 students a week and am now teaching 50- plus."

Anchors Aweigh Art Studio is opening up the warehouse roller door on Saturday, September 6, and inviting the public in for a day of art, music and Mexican food.

The event kicks off at 11am with product demos, live screen printing, kids' art and craft table, face-painting and Mexican food, served by Machina Cantina.

From 2pm artist Grizzle will paint the studio roller door and other artists will paint the internal warehouse walls.

Entry is free. For more information visit www.anchorsaweighartstudio.com.

The studio is at 138b Auburn Street, Coniston.