Hundreds of artists are preparing to throw open their studio doors to the public as part of Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios 2018.

The event, firmly established as one of the biggest open studios schemes in the country, is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year.

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios provides the opportunity for artists to show and sell their work directly from their studios.

It also encourages everyone, from ardent art-lovers to the curious first-time visitor, to get out and about, explore the county, see art and meet artists in the informal surroundings of their work space.

More than 420 artists will be taking part this year across 241 venues throughout Norfolk.

Visitors to the free event can see art in a range of settings, from professional studios to garages and barns, watching art as it happens.

As well as the hundreds of artists taking part, 16 Norfolk schools will be exhibiting and 15 Art Trails will be running, allowing audiences to visit a number of artists in a particular area, stopping at studios and local attractions along the way.

Throughout the duration of the scheme many of the artists will be holding additional events, demonstrations and workshops

Artists taking part are working in a diverse range of art forms and techniques, including wood turning, sculpture, glass work, papercutting, painting, textiles, jewellery, printing, ceramics and mosaic.

Some of the artists are first timers, some have been exhibiting for a few years and many have been involved since the very first year.

Rose de Lara, Administrator of Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, said: “Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios has been celebrating the diversity and talent of the county’s visual artists for more than twenty years.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see and meet artists working in a range of disciplines from a variety of inspirational spaces – from traditional studios to churches, garages, barns, garden rooms and old factories.

“This year there are specialist artists and crafters in all kinds of painting, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, sculpture and much more. We encourage everyone to get out there and explore the county, get inspired, meet the artists and buy work directly from where it’s made!

“We’d like to thank all of the artists for making this great event happen, and all the funders who help support the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios scheme.”

Studios are free to visit and all details, including studio opening days, directions, Art Trails and additional events and demonstrations, can be found in the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios brochure and website from early April.

Brochures can be picked up from participating artist’s studios, Tourist Information Centres, Libraries, Cafes and various art venues across the county from Friday, April 6.

The event runs from 26 May until 10 June 2018.

Ahead of the Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios fortnight, several districts will be hosting taster exhibitions to give audiences a feel of what is in store. These will take place in Norwich, Watton, Burston and Corpusty.

For more information visit www.nnopenstudios.org.uk

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios

26 May – 10 June

Various locations across Norfolk

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios is a 16-day county-wide celebration of the arts and a key event in Norfolk’s visual arts calendar. Artists across the region take part each year, inviting the public into their private studios to reveal where and how they work. The event attracts thousands of visitors and in 2017 an estimated 28,000 people visited studios across the county. Art lovers and curious first timers alike tour the county enjoying this special opportunity to find out more about where and how artists work as well as buy artwork directly from the artist. Artists have the opportunity to promote their work and meet their audience, and visitors get to see artwork as it happens. Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios is delivered by Norfolk & Norwich Festival as an organisation, in partnership with and for the benefit of Norfolk artists.

For more details on Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, contact [email protected] or call 01603 877762.

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Taster Exhibitions:

Central Taster Exhibition

The Forum, Millennium Plain Norwich NR2 1TF

This annual Central Taster Exhibition in the heart of Norwich displays the exciting breadth of creativity throughout Norfolk, as it showcases works by artists across the county who are taking part in this year’s Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios scheme.

Monday 30 April – Thursday 3 May, 9.30am – 6.30pm (closes at 4pm on 3 May)

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Group Exhibition, Norwich Theatre Royal

Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RL
The exhibition space at Norwich Theatre Royal in the centre of Norwich has been successfully exhibiting and selling 2D artwork for professional East Anglian artists for the past 11 years since the Theatre’s major refurbishment.

Selected and curated by Sarah Cannell, artists taking part in Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios 2018 have been invited to submit new and recent 2-dimensional works.

Supported by Targetfollow Estates and Norwich Theatre Royal.

Wednesday 25 April – Monday 9 July
Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 5pm (and until 8pm on performance days)

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Breckland Taster Exhibition

Wayland Dragonfly Gallery, Wayland House, High Street, Watton IP25 6AR
Held once again this year at the delightful Dragonfly Gallery in Watton, artists from within the Breckland area join together to showcase the culmination of this year’s work. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to view a ‘taste’ of things to come when artists open up their studios, with many unique 2D and 3D artworks on display.

Friday 18 May – Sunday 20 May 10am – 4pm

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South Norfolk Taster Exhibition

The Burston Crown, Mill Road, Burston, Diss, IP22 5TW
The Crown is a 440-year-old pub, set in the picturesque village of Burston, near Diss. The exhibition showcases a variety of work from some of the artists in South Norfolk taking part in Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios 2018. A wonderful opportunity to combine great beer, delicious food and beautiful art.

Monday 30 April – Saturday 9 June
Monday – Saturday 12pm – 11pm, Sundays 12pm – 10.30pm

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North Norfolk Taster Exhibition

The Old Workshop Gallery, The Street, Corpusty, Norwich, NR11 6QP
The Old Workshop Gallery is a beautiful and relaxed space in which to view and enjoy the diversity of work from a large number of the North Norfolk artists participating in Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios.

Saturday 12 May – Sunday 10 June
Tuesdays – Saturday & Bank Holiday Monday, 10am – 5pm, Sundays 12pm – 5pm

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Schools Taster Exhibition

Anteros Arts Foundation, 11-15 Fye Bridge Street, Norwich, NR3 1LJ

Sixteen Norfolk schools are taking part in this year’s Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, celebrating and championing the amazing creative talent of young people across our county. This exhibition will offer visitors the chance to sample a selection of inspired artworks from students of all ages.

The Anteros Arts Foundation is a charity for education and the promotion of the arts in Norfolk.

Tuesday 10 April – Saturday 21 April, 9am – 5pm Closed Sundays and Mondays