Press Release

Surrey Artists’ Open Studios: discover the diversity and creativity of Surrey artists, 3 – 18 June 2017

Artists open their doors over 16 days in June, explore, meet and enjoy!

For sixteen days in June Surrey artists will be welcoming the public into their studios for the annual Surrey Artists’ Open Studios (SAOS) event taking place in artist’s studios right across the county. There will be over 148 studios open across the 16 days.

As well as a chance to meet and talk to artists in their place of work,the summer open studios event offersvisitors the opportunity to view demonstrations, buy artwork, enter a free prize draw and even get involved in creative workshops. Studio locations are throughout Surrey and its borders.

For the first time this year, Saturday 3 June will see artists offering an array of activities exclusively to visitors on the first day of open studios of this popular county-wide event.

Sculptor Malcolm West will be working with a ballet and flamenco dancer, and visitors are invited to observe and engage directly with his process. Ceramicist CintiaYankelevitchwill be offering visitors a chance to handle clay and make their own ceramic artwork using hand-building techniques.

Other activities include the chance to try out family friendly printmaking techniques with artist Kathy Adams while the Jeffreys Cottagegroup will be holding special demonstrations of work all day, with each artist talking about their inspiration and their working methods.

This unique event offers an exciting opportunity to meet artists and makers in Surrey, to hear about and see first-hand their practice and to admire their work,” says Jane McGibbon coordinator ofSAOS.

The artists taking part also offer ample opportunity to take part in workshops, and to meet fellow enthusiasts en route. Whatever your interest, painting, printmaking, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry or sculpture, SAOS is a brilliant opportunity to discover creative people who live and work in Surrey.”

Some artists offer trails that help you to plan a full day out, just ask for details when you visit a studio, or check out our advertised trails on the SAOSwebsite. This year all studios have been included on the art exhibition app, gowithYamo. This allows visitors to see details of studios that are nearby. The app is available to download for free from the app store.

In 2016over 15,000 people visited the studios of Surrey artists making this a highlight of the cultural year in the county.

Follow this link for a selection of images of artist’s work:

For further information contact: Caitlin Heffernan 07891667150.

Notes to editors:

Surrey Artists’Open Studios began in 2001 and has been running for over 16 years. In 2016 there were over £240,000 sales made across the county.

Twitter: SAOS@Surrey_Artists

Facebook:

Instagram:surreyartistopenstudios

Surrey Artists’Open Studios is a membership organisation overseen by Surrey Arts.