Each July Isle of Wight artists and crafts-people open their studios or homes to the general public for two Open Studios weekends. Visitors have the opportunity to meet local artists in their working environment, to see what they do and find out about how they do it . For artists, Open Studios is a unique opportunity to manage their own event; exhibiting work and demonstrating their working processes.
UNIQUE
Open studios are as varied as you can imagine: some are in an artist's home, work room or garden, others in purpose made studios and some in public venues. The beauty of visiting several studios is that each is unique, with its own charm - you're sure to come away feeling inspired. When you see the red Open Studios flags, you know you've arrived!
OPEN STUDIOS IN 2011
A record 125 painters, glass artists, sculptors, jewellers, textile artists, potters, print-makers, photographers and digital artists invited the general public to see them at work during July 2011. This was the seventh year of Open Studios and 2011 was the biggest annual arts event (of its type) on the Island.
So many visitors commented on the friendly welcome they received. Artists showed a fantastically diverse range of high quality work with many demonstrating their skills and even getting their visitors involved with making. Comments included 'fantastic experience' 'stunning weekend', 'I enjoy the interaction' 'an amazing event', 'face to face contact invaluable'. Many artists have made good local and national contacts to promote and develop their work.
In all, this year's Isle of Wight Arts Open Studios offered so much for art lovers - and good reasons to get around the Island.
OPEN STUDIOS IN 2012
Open Studios 2012 is certain to be bigger and better, a fantastic event in prospect - with many of your favourite artists signing up and a large number of new Island artists opening their studios for the first time. We're welcoming a total of 145 exhibiting artists this year, including many showing in public halls, which we hope will give better access to a wider range of work.
In May we will publish the new Yearbook of members and exhibitors, and from April onwards you will be able to get a preview of the 2012 artists on this website. The Yearbook will be available from outlets throughout the island, free of charge. We hope you will enjoy planning your visits.
Members of Isle of Wight Arts enjoy their own webpage which they update with images of their work, contact information, details of their exhibitions and news of their creative talents. Click on Artists in the menu bar and search the site by artist name, location or category.
Our main Open Studios event in July gives everyone the opportunity to visit the artists and learn more about their work. We offer support and training to help our artists make this a valuable experience for all our visitors.
We are also planning an Open Studios@Christmas 2012 event on December 8th and 9th. More information and application details will be available later in the year.
To become a member of Isle of Wight Arts and to exhibit in Open Studios click on Join Isle of Wight Arts at the top of the screen.
Any queries or comments? please email us at info@isleofwightarts.com and we’ll be in touch.
 | Open Studios - South & West Wight 2012Friday 13th July to Monday 16th July 2012 | |
| Open Studios - Central, North & East Wight 2012Friday 20th July to Monday 23rd July 2012 | |
| Open Studios@ChristmasSaturday 8th December to Sunday 9th December 2012 | |