Coming in July: the twenty-second Marlborough Open Studios Art Trail
Fifty six artists in forty studios, workshops and exhibition spaces will be opening their doors to the public free of charge for the first four weekends in July. The studios stretch over the wider Marlborough area from Calne to Hungerford, from Pewsey to Wroughton. This year a fifth of the artists are brand new to the scheme and cover many different genres of artistic expression such as landscape painting, jewellery, print making, photography, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, glass, textiles, mixed media.
The 2017 Open Studios brochureLisi Ashbridge, a letter carver and Chair of Marlborough Open Studios, told marlborough.news: “The purpose of the Open Studios is not only to show what we do and how we work but to build up a community of artists who can support each other.”“From the visitor’s point of view it is very rare you get to see the artist behind a piece of work, see their sketchbook, see their craft, tools, how they work. And of course a lot of them have beautiful gardens too!”
Many of the Open Studios are also hosting special events. On July 8, at 5-6.30pm Studios 24 and 25, located in Alton Priors and Alton Barnes, are offering wine and a garden tour with landscape designer and Chelsea Gold medal winner, Michael Balston.
Several studios are offering a prize draw of £50 to spend in the studio, while others are offering demonstrations.
Every year Marlborough Open Studios awards a bursary to a new artist. This is also an opportunity for a new artist to learn about curating and to receive professional mentoring.
Bryony Cox is the recipient of this year’s award. She completed a degree in Drawing at Falmouth University in 2014. Her work, which is displayed in Studio 25, is the result of her travels in Asia.
Marlborough Open Studios was started in 1995 by Aldbourne artist Gillian Reeve. Of the twelve founding artists only Susan Kirkman and Arran Miles remain. They have exhibited every year since 1995 and share Studio 3 in Ramsbury.
The studio of Susan Kirkman & Arran Miles (Studio 3)Many Open Studio artists are highly regarded nationally and internationally and are available for private commission.More information can be found in the Open Studios 2017 brochure, available from local libraries and many shops and cafes. In Marlborough brochures are available from the library, Kim Vine, David Dudley and the White Horse Bookshop.
The brochure can also be downloaded from the scheme's website
To be the first to hear about local artists’ previews, shows and special events Marlborough Open Studios invites you to become a friend. This is free of charge and you receive a free digital newsletter emailed four times a year.
Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, postcode. Signing up postcards are also available at the Open Studios.