Team effort leads up to the really BIG DAY when the studios announce ’We are Open’
With Open Studios West Berks & North Hants rapidly approaching - it's a big team effort getting ready for May.
Many of the artists who take part in Open Studios from May 10 to 26 also volunteer behind the scenes to make the event a success. There are too many to list all the names, but here are some of the activities taking place in the weeks leading up to the event.
Distribution Day
At the end of March, a dozen volunteers led by artist Tracey Larkin, sorted, packed and distributed brochures and flyers to 100 participating artists, and you will see the bright red booklets in the Corn Exchange, the Base and many local venues.
There is something different about the brochures this year - take a look at the covers to see many images of artists and craftspeople at work in their studios, whether painting or potting or sculpting or stitching or turning.
Handing In Day
Painter Jill Hobbs will take the lead on 'Handing In Day' when 100 artists will arrive at The Base bearing the best of their latest works to include in our flagship INSIGHT exhibition. This means volunteers logging between 200 and 300 paintings, sculptures, pots, textiles and pieces of woodwork and jewellery, to be carefully stored until the next big day.
Curation Day
This is when a team, led this year by artist Claire Terry, devises a layout to hang and display all these diverse artworks in the main Gallery in The Base, aiming to show each piece at its best. Each year the team comprises some experienced curators, like Claire, potter (and chair) John Brazendale, woodworker Jon Townsin and Camilla Conway, gallery coordinator at the Base, along with an artist newer to curating, so they can gain experience of such a big event, and this year Jill Hobbs has that opportunity. If you have visited INSIGHT over the years, you will know what a super job each team does!
All this effort leads up to the really BIG DAY, when the studios announce, on May 10 “We are Open”.
The INSIGHT exhibition is always FREE to visit, open from 10am to 5pm from May 10 to 26, and you will be greeted by further volunteers from the artist community who are there to answer any questions you may have about the artworks or the artists taking part - or to leave you to wander around in peace if that's what you prefer!
“We just hope you will take some time out to visit INSIGHT, visit a Studio, enjoy seeing the works, chat with an artist and see how their art is done,” say the artists.
https://www.open-studios.org.uk/
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