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: 28/09/2024 - 23/02/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Cordell Garfield has his shoe industry paintings work on show as part of this exhibition. The exhibition at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery looks at how the shoe industry has affected the lives of the people of Northamptonshire, not only through employment, but providing hospitals, carnivals, d (See information on event)
Date: 01/10/2024 - 01/01/2025 at 12:00-12:00
Janet Basset Gallery Rothwell This gallery is in the heart of the Historic town of Rothwell (my home town). The Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre runs regular events. I am pleased to say that I will finally be taking part this October, where a number of my works will be on display along with some pr (See information on event)
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: 15/10/2024 - 31/03/2025 at 10:00-16:00
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 workshop where yo (See information on event)
Date: 23/10/2024 - 23/10/2024 at 10:30-14:30
In this workshop I will guide you through designing and making a folded candle holder. You will have access to a wide choice of colours in transparent glass and I will teach you how to cut glass and assemble your piece ready for firing in the kiln. You will have access to all of the tools and safety (See information on event)
Date: 24/10/2024 - 24/10/2024 at 09:30-13:30
Spend the morning learning how to make your very own silver bangle in a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll be gently guided through all the techniques needed to enable you to make two bangles from a choice of different designs. Silver and copper are priced by weight and available to purchase on the day. Y (See information on event)
Date: 26/10/2024 - 27/10/2024 at 12:00-16:00
An exciting and diverse exhibition showcasing works from eight talented Northamptonshire artists. This must-see show covers mixed media, oil painting, collage, batik silk and acrylic painting, all for sale. The artist will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their working techniques throughout Sep (See information on event)
Date: 26/10/2024 - 16/11/2024 at 13:00-15:00
Four Week Art Adventure: Colour! In this four-week course, we will explore the exciting world of colour. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to colour basics, this is for you! We'll look at the colour wheel, the essentials of colour mixing, how colour affects our artwork and wh (See information on event)
Date: 02/11/2024 - 03/11/2024 at 12:00-16:00
An exciting and diverse exhibition showcasing works from eight talented Northamptonshire artists. This must-see show covers mixed media, oil painting, collage, batik silk and acrylic painting, all for sale. The artist will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their working techniques throughout Sep (See information on event)
Date: 03/11/2024 - 03/11/2024 at 10:00-12:00
Lino Printing - Winter Cards Sunday 3 November 10am to 12pm Scribble Studio, Church St, Rushden Come along and learn to design, carve and print your own winter themed images for greetings cards, or gift wrap, tags, notebooks, placeholders, postcards or bookmarks! Take your inspiration from evergreen (See information on event)
Date: 03/11/2024 - 03/11/2024 at 13:00-15:00
Make a beautiful, sustainable festive rag wreath from fabric and ribbon at Scribble Studio to be enjoyed year after year. We will be using card, newspaper, fabric scraps and ribbon to create a joyful, long-lasting, upcycled wreath in the colours of your choice. Go simple and elegant, or go crazy! Fe (See information on event)
Date: 07/11/2024 - 07/11/2024 at 09:30-13:30
On this course you will learn how to make up to three different style stacking rings and add a cabochon stone setting to one. You will learn how to do twisted, textured, die formed and plain fins. There are 8 different techniques to choose from. Included in the course fee: Silver to make 3 rings, St (See information on event)
Date: 09/11/2024 - 09/11/2024 at 10:00-16:00
Cordell Garfield’s ‘Exploring Colour’ is a one day workshop exploring colour theory and the application of colour in art. The workshop is designed to help both beginners and more experienced artists in understanding colour. Through practical studies students will understand colour theory and a (See information on event)
Date: 10/11/2024 - 10/11/2024 at 13:00-15:00
Lino Printing - Winter Cards Sunday 10 November 1pm to 3pm £25pp (Sunflower member discount applies) Come along and learn to design, carve and print your own winter themed images for greetings cards, or gift wrap, tags, notebooks, placeholders, postcards or bookmarks! Examples will be available, fe (See information on event)
Date: 10/11/2024 - 10/11/2024 at 12:00-15:30
Learn the art of batik silk painting using melted wax and painting ink on silk. At these workshops I will show you how to stretch your silk onto a wooden frame, apply melted wax using tjanting tools and paintbrushes. Then the magic happens when the jewel toned inks flow onto the silk. This is such a (See information on event)
Date: 13/11/2024 - 13/11/2024 at 19:00-21:00
Join Sophie to learn how to paint this colourful cow in acrylics. All materials provided. All abilities welcome. To book please call The Galleria on 01536 238295. (See information on event)
Date: 14/11/2024 - 14/11/2024 at 18:30-20:30
Elli printing is such an easy and fun introduction to printmaking without the need of a press. It’s a creatively satisfying process applying acrylic paint to the plate, using different textures like stamps, stencils, and masks and then transferring the image to paper. Each print is a unique surpri (See information on event)
Date: 14/11/2024 - 14/11/2024 at 19:00-22:00
On this 3 hour course you will be gently guided through a range of different techniques to enable you to make at least 2 silver Christmas gifts. Rolling textures, disc cutting, doming, melting metal, forging and stamping, wire working including twisting, soldering ear posts plus findings and much mo (See information on event)
Date: 21/11/2024 - 21/11/2024 at 09:30-12:30
On this 3 hour course at the jewellery workshop in the lovely Old School Hall in Yardley Hastings you will learn how to turn silver spoons into beautiful rings. There will also be the opportunity to use spoon bowls to make pendants if you’d like to utilise any cut off sections. Suitable for total (See information on event)
Date: 21/11/2024 - 21/11/2024 at 18:00-20:00
Enhance your abilities in observation, proportion, and form through a life drawing session featuring a nude model. Experience the soothing advantages of this self-guided session with easels available on a first come first served basis. Complimentary Tea and coffee provided. Third Thursday of each mo (See information on event)
