Island Life June July 2015 June July 2015 | Page 43

SOCIAL SCENE

Open Studios
The Island’s biggest
summer arts event

T

he Isle of Wight has long been
a hub for the creative arts, and
the annual Open Studios event
builds on this rich heritage every year
by encouraging visitors to share in our
vibrant arts scene.
Over the last two weekends in July,
Island artists will open their doors to art
lovers in homes, studios and exhibition
spaces covering every corner of the
Island. From a farm in Yafford to large
galleries in Newport and Ryde, Island
artists will be welcoming visitors and
inviting them to enjoy their work,
discuss their techniques, and take
beautiful pieces away with them to
enjoy in their own homes.
This year there are over 120 exhibitors,
working in traditional disciplines such
as sculpture, painting, photography
and pottery, as well as more unusual
techniques such as felt making,
driftwood art and glass art. Over 50 of
the artists are new to the event this year,

so this promises to be one of the most
eclectic Open Studios yet.
Between Friday 17th - Monday 20th
July you can follow art trails around
Newport, Cowes, Yarmouth and
Freshwater, and the following weekend,
24th - 27th July, it’s the turn of artists
around Ryde, Bembridge, Sandown,
Shanklin and Ventnor.
Entrance to all venues is free, and
the Open Studios Yearbook provides
maps and art trails to guide you
around unfamiliar places, along with
profiles of each artist and examples of
their work. The Yearbook is available
on Red Funnel ferries, Southern
Vectis information centres, tourist
information points, libraries, National
Trust and English Heritage properties,
galleries, framers and shops across
the Island, and of course www.
isleofwightarts.com can be accessed
wherever you are!

www.visitilife.com

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