Surrey Artists Open Studios summer event
9 - 24 June and 20 - 22 July 2012
An annual visual arts opportunity for the public to visit studios, meet artists & makers, view demonstrations, buy artwork, enter our free prize draw, view taster exhibitions and take part in creative workshops. Studio locations are throughout Surrey and around its borders.
What's new for Surrey Artists Open Studios summer event?
For the first time we will be offering an additional weekend to the established June event. This will be 20 - 22 July to coincide with the Olympic Torch coming to Surrey
We will also be hosting an additional prize draw, any member of the public that visits more than 3 studios on bicycle during the June event and has their loyalty card signed by the studios they visit will be entitled to enter our extra free prize draw for cyclists! We are hosting this extra prize draw in celebration of the Olympic Road Cycle races coming to Surrey on the 28 & 29 July.
“There is such a great collective of styles on offer, and with over 160 studios, there will be one open just around the corner!”
Caroline Jackman, SAOS Coordinator
Look out for the orange Open Studios flags and balloons or pick up a brochure at your local library or arts venue.
We also feature all of our open studios artists and more on our online resource Find a Surrey Artist, available throughout the year. Here you can search for Surrey Artists, each of whom has an individual web page showcasing up to 12 images of their artwork; listings of their exhibitions and workshops and many indicate that their studio is open by appointment throughout the year.
To kick start the Open Studios event we have taster exhibitions allowing our audience the chance to view a selection of artists work from across Surrey at one venue, giving them an insight as to what they can expect to see when visiting studios in June.
The East Surrey Taster Exhibition is at East Surrey College from Monday 30th April - Friday 18th May 2012, opening hours to be from 10am to 5pm. A private view will be held on Tuesday 17th April from 6 to 8pm. All participating Open Studios artists will be invited to submit work for this exhibition.
West Surrey Taster Exhibition at Lewis Elton Gallery, University of Surrey from Tuesday 8th – Thursday 24th May 2012, portal.surrey.ac.uk/artsoffice. Private view held at 6pm on Tuesday 3rd May. Artists participating in the West areas of Surrey Open Studios will be invited to submit work for this exhibition.
Selected Surrey Taster Show at Bournseside Gallery in Gomshall, Monday 4th June – Monday 23rd July 2012. This new idyllic gallery situated in the heart of Surrey, with easy access on the A25 or train from Guildford accommodates work from 19th and 20th Century printmakers and glass exhibited alongside local visual arts and craft.
Why is SAOS such a vital resource to artists?
Surrey Artists Open Studios has re-evaluated the needs of its artists and now offers an annual membership scheme, including a dedicated web page for each member that is profiled on Find A Surrey Artist. Alongside the member offer are training & networking events taking place throughout the year and monthly e-bulletins providing access to opportunities and events taking place in Surrey & the South East Region.
Our new format has enabled us to work towards introducing even more new initiatives, including a bursary scheme for artists who are not able to afford the participation fee to Open Studios and the creation of residency opportunities for artists to work in schools as part of the Open Studio scheme.
Call 01483 519285 for a brochure.
Artist interviews
There are seven artists that have participated every year since its start in 2000, in conversations we have invited them to tell us why they value this event so much:
Caroline Jackman: Why do you take part in this event?
Alison Ellen (Hand knitter from Dockenfield): For the community feeling of sharing my studio and home with other artists; for the enjoyment of showing people how I work and what I produce for selling.
CJ: What is your favourite memory from Surrey Artists Open Studios over the years?
Carol Orwin (sculptor from Guildford): Putting out the balloons, putting up the sign and opening the front door on day one always is a thrill. The work is in place, the studio is tidy and the garden looks great!
CJ: What do you get out of the event?
Sue Relph (painter from Thorpe): Visitors every year comment on the variety of work (both hung in the house and available for browsing in the conservatory studio) and the surrounding garden makes a tranquil outlook for teatime refreshments and portrait models.
CJ: would you recommend the event to other artists?
Diana Croft (printmaker from Dorking): As co-ordinator for Mole Valley (a purely voluntary position) I get to meet the new artists taking part and its amazing to discover the wealth of creative talent in the area. I would recommend it to any artists who might be thinking of joining, it’s a great opportunity to meet like minded people and showcase your work to the public.
CJ: Name an experience from participating in this event?
Terri Smart (ceramicist from West Clandon): I am proud to being approached to run workshops at a school for children with special needs.
CJ: Why do you participate in this event every year?
Kobie Dams (painter mixed/media artist from Seale): I love taking part in Open Studios because I can show a lot of my work in one go. It is great talking to other artists as well as having exposure to a wider audience through the Open Studios brochure.
For more information and images please contact:
Caroline Jackman, Surrey Artists Open Studios Coordinator, Surrey Arts
t: 01483 519 285
