This month, more than 300 makers and artists will be taking part in the first full the Somerset Art Weeks Open Studios event for five years
HIS year’s Somerset Art Weeks, from 16th September to 1st October, will be the first full Open Studios event since 2018, with more than 300 makers and artists across the county, from Wincanton to Watchet, wil be inviting the public into their work-places. Organised by Somerset Art Works, since its inception in 1994, the the open studios fortnight has become an important event in Somerset’s cultural calendar. Traditionally biennial, alternating with group and gallery shows, it is an invitation to meet some of the area’s most exciting and original creative people in their own place – studio, workshop, home or shed. Painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors, potters, woodworkers and textile artists will all be opening their space to show their work.
It’s not only an opportunity to meet interesting, creative people but also to explore the county and discover places you didn’t know! It’s the perfect chance for the casual and curious visitor to see what goes on behind normally-closed studio doors. Artists value the engagement that the event provides; a chance comment or connection can sometimes provide invaluable encouragement.
In Batcombe, a collection of artists are working together: Jo Addison creates linocuts, etchings and watercolours of natural subjects. Camilla Frederick is a portrait artist who works in oils. Alison Harrison is a sculptor works in bronze and mixed media. Debbie Hart specialises in tesxtile art with patchwork and quilting. Jade Ogden makes handwoven scarves and soft furnishings using dyed and undyed local and Shetland wool. Jan Pitt creates her work in pastels and oils. Peter Sheldon’s is showing a collection of quirky illustration and newsprint collages.
Castle Cary hosts an exciting cluster of creatives at Pithers Yard, including photographer Dave Watts, painter Franny Watts, prop maker Charlotte Austin as well as Tom Baskeyfield and Lotte Scott, who create works informed by interests in ecology, spirituality, matter and place.
Near Frome, ceramicists Christine-Ann Richards and Lutz Krainhoefner have a joint studio venue, with work, inspired by their travels to China and Japan, featuring burnished, smoke-fired pottery and glazed stoneware.
The Somerset Open Studios 2023 Guide is online here and Somerset Art Weeks (SAW) venue signs will guide you to the sometimes hidden venues. SAW is also working with Visit Somerset to give an increased profile for the event and its artists on the Visit Somerset website. For more details and to plan your visit, please visit somersetartworks.org.uk or visitsomerset.co.uk
