Whats on guide
Discover whats on for the next 30 days
Northants Open Studios: Your Gateway to Artistic Exploration
Northants Open Studios stands at the forefront of democratizing art and creativity, fostering a diverse and vibrant artistic community within Northamptonshire. We believe that art should be accessible to all, irrespective of age, skill level, or medium preference. Our platform welcomes a rich tapestry of artists, patrons, and art enthusiasts, highlighting the myriad expressions of creativity that exist within our community.
Our central mission is twofold:
- Empowering Artists: We cultivate a supportive network for artists, offering opportunities for growth, collaboration, and exposure. Whether through facilitating exhibition opportunities throughout the year or opening channels to connect with venues, collectors, and buyers, we provide the scaffolding for artists to flourish.
- Engaging Communities: We work relentlessly to make art accessible, encouraging a broad spectrum of venues to host artistic endeavours. From historic churches to contemporary commercial galleries, we bring art into the heart of the community.
Our flagship event is the Northants Open Studios Visual Arts Festival, renowned as the largest of its kind within the county. Held every September, this festival turns the spotlight onto the artists and their creative process. Artists open the doors to their studios, welcoming the public into their creative sanctuaries. Here, visitors gain an unprecedented view into the inner workings of a pottery studio, the intricacies of stone carving, or the techniques employed in traditional crafts.
Complementing the studio tours, the festival also incorporates a Central Exhibition, showcasing a selection of each participating artist's work. Acting as a tangible brochure, this exhibition allows visitors to plan their studio visits based on their artistic interests.
To ensure broad reach and engagement, we distribute 10,000 festival brochures across Northamptonshire and beyond. These brochures, coupled with various venue-hosted exhibitions throughout September, serve to amplify the visibility of participating artists.
As a self-funded organisation, we rely on the generosity of venues and commercial sponsors within Northamptonshire. Their continued support empowers us to achieve our mission, making art accessible, promoting local artists, and nurturing an artistic community that thrives on diversity and mutual support.
Join us on this journey of artistic exploration and discover the myriad ways in which art continues to shape our lives and communities. Welcome to Northants Open Studios, where art comes to life.
Date: 11/10/2024 - 01/10/2025 at 09:00-09:00
I'm delighted to announce that my recent abstract work, Chronos III, is currently being exhibited in a prestigious International Art Exhibition, hosted by Influx Gallery (Notting Hill). The Nexus Exhibition is presented on a state of the art virtual platform to be enjoyed worldwide. Take a virt (See information on event)
Date: 31/03/2025 - 31/12/2025 at 10:00-16:00
BOOKED ON REQUEST Have you always wanted to have a go at upcycling but just don't know where to start? This workshop is designed to give you all the essentials to start your very own upcycling project and give you the confidence to create something unique. An introduction to furniture upcycling (See information on event)
Date: 02/08/2025 - 02/08/2025 at 13:00-15:00
Join us at The Shire Workshops for an afternoon painting beautiful seascapes! With step by step instructions, you'll create a blue sky, a backdrop of hills, ocean and beach. We'll be using acrylic paints, so wear some old clothes and look forward to some fun with this tactile, vibrant medi (See information on event)
Date: 05/08/2025 - 05/08/2025 at 10:30-12:30
Donna Drouin and Glenda Gibson are both artists who share a passion for sharing knowledge and skills. Glenda Gibson is a painter, writer and a qualified primary school teacher and Donna Drouin is a printmaker, painter, poet and qualified youth worker; together they have years of experience running p (See information on event)
Date: 05/08/2025 - 05/08/2025 at 13:30-15:30
Donna Drouin and Glenda Gibson are both artists who share a passion for sharing knowledge and skills. Glenda Gibson is a painter, writer and a qualified primary school teacher and Donna Drouin is a printmaker, painter, poet and qualified youth worker; together they have years of experience running p (See information on event)
Date: 08/08/2025 - 08/08/2025 at 19:00-21:00
Lino Printing Workshop 7-9pm Friday 8 August Desborough Library Come along and learn to design, carve and print your own artwork for greetings cards, gift wrap, tags, notebooks, placeholders, postcards or bookmarks! Enjoy seeing your ideas become printed images in this relaxed workshop. Examples wil (See information on event)
Date: 09/08/2025 - 09/08/2025 at 13:00-16:00
Join us at The Shire Workshops in Wilbarston as we dive into abstract art! In this relaxed Saturday afternoon class, we'll have a look at some abstract art examples to discover how we can play with perspective, proportion, colour and contrast to create impactful paintings. Then you'll be f (See information on event)
Date: 11/08/2025 - 11/08/2025 at 10:00-12:00
Come and have a go at painting your very own moon scene in acrylics. All materials and refreshments provided. Suitable for beginners. To book please contact the galleria. (See information on event)
Date: 12/08/2025 - 12/08/2025 at 10:30-12:30
Donna Drouin and Glenda Gibson are both artists who share a passion for sharing knowledge and skills . Glenda Gibson is a painter, writer and a qualified primary school teacher and Donna Drouin is a printmaker, painter, poet and qualified youth worker together they have years of experience running p (See information on event)
Date: 12/08/2025 - 12/08/2025 at 13:30-15:30
Donna Drouin and Glenda Gibson are both artists who share a passion for sharing knowledge and skills . Glenda Gibson is a painter, writer and a qualified primary school teacher and Donna Drouin is a printmaker, painter, poet and qualified youth worker together they have years of experience running p (See information on event)
Date: 13/08/2025 - 13/08/2025 at 15:30-17:30
Book your space here: https://beccygillatt.com/event/stacking-rings-for-young-people-11-18-years-bh09v6glb/ On this 2 hour course your young person be gently (See information on event)
Date: 14/08/2025 - 14/08/2025 at 06:00-21:30
Book your space here: https://beccygillatt.com/event/sea-glass-setting-workshop-bi14x4gl/ On this 3.5 hour sea glass setting workshop at our teaching studio in Great Linford, y (See information on event)
Date: 16/08/2025 - 16/08/2025 at 13:00-16:00
Not sure where to begin with colour? This class is for you! We will look at: - the colour wheel - how colours make us feel - how to create distance and focal points in our art - how to mix the colours we want We will be using acrylic paint, please wear old clothes/apron. All materials provided, and (See information on event)
Date: 28/08/2025 - 28/09/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Jeyes Coffee Shop presents an exhibition of paintings, ceramics and glass works by five skilled artists on display throughout September. Enjoy art in a relaxed setting and meet the artist during their demonstration days. Artists taking part Jill Tisbury Sarah Luke Louise Crookenden-Johnson Matthew H (See information on event)
