Popular Visual Arts Programme Returns To Suffolk For 7th Successful Year

Suffolk Open Studios celebrates the county’s thriving artistic community with participating artists opening their studios to the public at weekends, giving visitors a unique opportunity to take a look “behind the scenes” and see them in action. 

For 2018, the programme runs over the first 4 weekends of June, commencing Saturday 2 June.

Over 100 artists and galleries are taking part, showing work across a wide range of media covering every aspect of art today, including painting, ceramics, glassware, pottery, sculpture and more. 

Click here to download a PDF of the Suffolk Open Studios 2018 Directory.

Suffolk Open Studios Chairperson Cally James commented: “This year’s programme promises to be one of the most exciting yet. We’re expanding and diversifying the Open Studios concept but keeping the intimacy that visitors like, of being able to see and ask about artists’ work within their own studios.” 

“With such a broad range of artists and galleries showing work across the entire visual art spectrum, there’s no better way to see and understand the state of art practice in Suffolk today.” 

Visitors can learn about participating artists, see examples of their work, check opening times and plan their route by visiting the Suffolk Open Studios website at www.suffolkopenstudios.org or on Facebook @suffolkopenstudios. A map shows the location of all participating artists and galleries. 

A printed directory is due for release shortly, with copies available in galleries, libraries and tourist information centres and downloadable from the website. This year, the directory has been grouped into local regions (Babergh, Forest Heath, Ipswich, Mid-Suffolk, St Edmondsbury, Suffolk Coastal, Waveney) making it easier for visitors to identify studios nearby and plan their visit. 

To assist visitors travelling from further afield, some artists have organised themselves into “hubs”, allowing the public to see work from a number of different artists in a single location. Others have organised “trails”, where visitors can pick up a leaflet from one trail member studio directing them to other member studios nearby. 

A highlight of this year’s programme will be the “Inspirations” exhibition of paintings and sculpture by participating artists at the Apex Gallery in Bury St Edmunds.

The exhibition opens Tuesday 10 April and runs till Monday 7 May; opening hours are 10am–5pm Monday–Saturday, and 10am–4pm on Sunday. 

This year, Suffolk Open Studios is supporting Suffolk Artlink, a participatory arts charity which develops and delivers inclusive arts programmes in communities that bring skills, support networks, confidence and joy to people in the East. To support the charity’s fund-raising efforts, Suffolk Open Studios artists have contributed works to a prize draw, to take place during the “Inspirations” exhibition at the Apex Gallery. Tickets for the prize draw can also be purchased online from www.suffolkartlink.org.uk/sos2018 until 31 May. All proceeds will go to Suffolk Artlink. 

 

Suffolk Open Studios 

Suffolk Open Studios is a well-established organisation with artists around the county opening their studios to the public during June each year. Commencing in 2012, its aim is to celebrate the outstanding and diverse talent of Suffolk-based artists. 

It welcomes all artists with studios based in Suffolk to join as a member. New this year is the opportunity to subscribe as a “Friend of Suffolk Open Studios”, to be prepared for the annual event in June as well as receiving regular updates of artists’ exhibitions throughout the year. 

More details at: 

Web: www.suffolkopenstudios.org 

Facebook: @suffolkopenstudios

 

Cally James (Suffolk Open Studios Chairperson) 

Cally James is a practising Ceramics artist and Art teacher. She works primarily in clay and Plaster of Paris, but enjoys experimenting with other mediums such as painting in acrylic and watercolour. Her influences are varied but centre around artists who make particular reference to society, such as Grayson Perry. 

Having started her working life originally as a chef, she became Chairperson of Suffolk Open Studios in 2017. She is currently studying at [institution] for an MA in Fine Art. 

She comments: “The importance of sharing art is crucial in our society. Exhibitions are just one way of achieving this, but inviting visitors into your personal creative space brings a whole new dimension to sharing your work.” 

More details at www.callyjames.com 

 

Apex Gallery 

The Apex Gallery features works by emerging and established artists as well as engaging with West Suffolk’s various community art groups, offering them an opportunity to display their work in a professional environment. 

The gallery is in Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD. Occasionally, it is closed to the public: visitors should call the box office in advance on 01284 758000, to check availability. 

More details at www.theapex.co.uk/gallery

 

Suffolk Artlink 

Suffolk Artlink’s creative projects aim to help people transform their lives through the arts, and are delivered in places including community centres, hospitals and hospices, residential homes, refuges and schools. Their work is led by experienced arts practitioners, encompassing a rich variety of art forms, and delivered in close partnership with care, education, voluntary and community organisations. 

The prize draw is open from 9 April till 31 May. Prize draw winners will be notified by 5 June and can collect artworks from The Cut in Halesworth, 9–10 June. Other collection venues and times may be accommodated by arrangement. 

More details at www.suffolkartlink.org.uk