Open house

Contemporary art is enjoying a renaissance. Crowds flock to prestigious galleries in London and other major cities to see high profile and well-publicised events. Yet for most people, the practice of the living artist may seem remote, while work seen in exhibitions has an air of anonymity. Viewers may take delight in and appreciate the artwork, but what is the origin? What of the artist and his or her world? What was the motivation and the method of working?

The inspiration to Open Studios was simple – for artists to invite the public into their studios to gain an insight into the creative process. Googling ‘Open Studios’ locates hundreds of sites from many areas of the world, with by far the highest number in the USA. Research into the history of the Open Studios event has been inconclusive, but there is evidence that some models formed earlier than 1980 in USA. In the UK, a group was formed in Oxfordshire in 1982 called ‘Oxfordshire Artweeks’. It was so successful that many similar models have evolved all over this country. It captured the imagination of 11 Suffolk artists in 1991. Although the range of mediums was very different, they had a common bond of friendship. They elected to form their own group and Suffolk Open Studios began. Since they all lived near to Suffolk’s Heritage Coast, they chose to open in the four weekends in June to run concurrently with the Aldeburgh Festival. They reasoned that it would be something extra for Festival visitors to add to their itinerary.

The original membership of 11 has grown to 140 this year. There is no selection process to become a member. It is considered that any artist who has confidence enough to invite people into his or her world of creation has something unique and valid to contribute. This logic has proved to be correct, because the wide-ranging skills base is of a consistently high standard. It also gives the movement an easy fluidity and vitality that might not be so apparent in a selected group.

Each year a pocket-sized directory is produced and distributed widely throughout Suffolk and beyond. There is a description of each artist’s work with an illustration, plus directions to the studio. There is also a map locating every address and other relevant information. In May each year the group has a Showcase Exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn, Suffolk. This is designed as a lead-in to the main June event in which every artist participates. The lovely and historic barn provides a splendid backdrop for the wide variety of stunning work on display. With the aid of the directory, viewers can plan which studios that they would like to visit.

Suffolk Open Studios has become the premier visual art group in Suffolk and is firmly established in the Summer Event calendar for the County. This demonstrates the value of local arts in social and economic strategies and in tourism. Suffolk Open Studios has become a major cultural attraction, showing how effective planning can source the skills of local artists while bringing the public to the spring of creativity.