insideKENT Magazine Issue 27 - June 2014 | Page 43

ARTS

South East Open Studios (SEOS)

Celebrates its 18th year this June
NOW IN ITS 18th YEAR, THE SOUTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS TAKES PLACE EVERY SUMMER, WITH
THE NEXT EVENT FROM FRIDAY 6th TO SUNDAY 22nd JUNE. AND WITH 300 ARTISTS CONFIRMED
TO TAKE PART, IT IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE LARGEST OPEN STUDIO EVENTS IN ENGLAND.

With venues across Kent, East Sussex and the Surrey borders, South East
Open Studios creates an opportunity to see behind the scenes of an artist’s
workspace, while also enabling visitors to meet the artist in an informal
atmosphere.

With free demonstrations, a chance to ask questions, time to buy original
pieces – all while learning more about your community – it really would be
a shame to miss out. What’s more, entry into every venue is free, offering
a great day out for all ages, interests and budgets.

Whether you’re a professional artist or just curious, the event offers a unique
insight into various art practices. Paul Williams, chairman of the South East
Open Studios, said: “SEOS is the most extensive open studio event in the
South East. For 17 days in June, artists and makers across Kent and East
Sussex open their doors to the public every year, creating a once-a-year
unmissable opportunity.”

A wide range of work will be on show, from traditional oil, watercolours and
sculpture, to contemporary ceramics, textiles and jewellery. A free guidebook,
complete with all listings, is available from May, and viewable on the SEOS
website. Trail maps are also available to help you plan your route and create
an enjoyable summer’s day.

WHAT IS AN OPEN STUDIO? DON’T WORRY, IT’S NOT A SILLY QUESTION.
Never visited an open studio before? Don't like
going into galleries? Think meeting artists and
makers would be awkward or intimidating? Think
again.
Open studio events take place throughout the
UK and abroad every year, and ever since the
downturn in arts funding, more and more are
becoming artist-led and self-funded.
The modern open studio movement, as it's now
known, came into being in the UK in the 1970s,

with the Artists At Home in Chiswick and West
London and the Cambridge Open Studios, among
the first recorded.
Now there are hundreds of open studio events
throughout the year, and across every county in
the UK. These events have been established to
help promote artists and to encourage networking.
Artists and makers can choose to take part as
a group or as an individual, in a town, city, or in
a remote area of the countryside. All are organised
with the aim to attract tourists, art lovers, buyers,
and other artists to visit over a designated period.

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As a visitor, don't let preconceived ideas mean
you miss some of the greatest art and craft shows
available today. Open studios are not like galleries
– there is