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: 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: 09/09/2025 - 09/10/2025 at 10:00-23:00
A group of 7 local artists, disciplined in different techniques, style and medium, will be displaying work in The Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton. Feel free to come and have a browse! (See information on event)
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery -12 Artist 2 Places Limitless Creativity
Exhibition
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-17:00
12 Artist two places, limitless creativity. Located in The Selling gallery within the Museum Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is free and open to the public Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 2pm–5pm. Closed Bank Holidays. An exhibition of 2-D and 3-D artist from across Northamptonshire (See information on event)
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Free Exhibition, centrally located with good accessibility 8 of the 12 artists taking part Mark Curtis- Paper Katy Dynes - Illustrator Jeanne Edwards - Printmaker Kerrie Suteu - Printmaker Sam Brockway - Painter Esme Loasby - Florals, taxidermy Dawn Edge - Painter Jo Cutts - Feltwork Demonstration d (See information on event)
Two Places: 12 Artists, Limitless Creativity - Northampton Museum
Exhibition
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Free Exhibition, centrally located with good accessibility 12 artists Mark Curtis- Paper Katy Dynes - Illustrator Jeanne Edwards - Printmaker Kerrie Suteu - Printmaker Sam Brockway - Painter Esme Loasby - Florals, taxidermy Jack Astbury - Woodturner Dawn Edge - Painter Jo Lesley - Glasswork Helen Lo (See information on event)
Abington Park Museum - 12 Artist 2Places Limitless Creativity
Exhibition
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Showing 10 of 12 Artists in two places, Limitless creativity. Located in The museum of Abington Park. Abington Park Museum is free to enter and will be open for visits on the following days: -Saturday and Sunday, 12-4pm. -Tuesday-Sunday during Northamptonshire school holidays 12-4pm. An exhibition o (See information on event)
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-17:00
Discover 12 incredible Artisans exhibiting at this iconic venue: Louise Crookenden Johnson- Ceramicist Katy Dynes (Kitty Dinners) - Illustrator Mark Curtis Hughes - Paper cut artist Esme Loasby - Floral work and taxidermy Jack Astbury - Woodturner Jeanne Edwards - Printmaker Kerrie Suteu - Printmake (See information on event)
Date: 13/09/2025 - 09/11/2025 at 10:00-16:00
Discover 12 incredible Artisans exhibiting at Northampton and Abington Park Musuems. Louise Crookenden Johnson- Ceramicist Katy Dynes (Kitty Dinners) - Illustrator Mark Curtis Hughes - Paper cut artist Esme Loasby - Floral work and taxidermy Jack Astbury - Woodturner Jeanne Edwards - Printmaker Kerr (See information on event)
Date: 04/10/2025 - 25/10/2025 at 10:00-12:00
Acrylic Painting - Saturdays in October Book at http://www.nixiemade.com under Classes Join us at Desborough Library each Saturday morning in October to learn about acrylic paint! Over four sessions we will explore: Wha (See information on event)
Date: 11/10/2025 - 11/10/2025 at 10:00-11:00
Book your ticket at http://www.beccygillatt.com/events In this engaging jewellery making workshop, you’ll learn how to create your own beautiful silver ring from start to finish. You will incorporate strikin (See information on event)
Date: 11/10/2025 - 11/10/2025 at 13:30-16:30
Book your space here: https://beccygillatt.com/event/bangles-and-rings-bj11v6glc/ During this 3 hour silver bangles and rings jewellery making workshop you will be guided through all t (See information on event)
Date: 11/10/2025 - 11/10/2025 at 10:00-16:00
Join Cordell on his highly popular portrait painting workshop at Yardley Arts on 11th October 2025 which is an ideal introduction to portrait painting in oil paints. A portrait painting in oils will be produced, with attention to facial proportions and tonal values to create a realistic portrait. Wo (See information on event)
Date: 18/10/2025 - 18/10/2025 at 10:00-13:00
Book your space here: https://beccygillatt.com/event/stacking-rings-pendant-workshop-bj18v6yha/ On this three-hour stacking rings / pendant workshop course, you’ll be g (See information on event)
Date: 18/10/2025 - 18/10/2025 at 10:00-16:00
Join Cordell who will be running an Introduction to Landscape Painting Workshop in Oils at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery on 18th October 2025. This workshop is an ideal introduction to landscape painting. A landscape painting in oils will be produced, with attention to tone, perspective and col (See information on event)
Date: 19/10/2025 - 19/10/2025 at 10:00-15:00
Spend a few hours painting with wool and silk to create a beautiful landscape picture of your choice. This workshop is an excellent introduction to wet felting. You will learn how to handle and lay out the wool fibre, and how to create beautiful texture and details using a mixture of wool, silk and (See information on event)
Date: 19/10/2025 - 19/10/2025 at 10:30-13:00
Join botanical artist and illustrator, Sophie Smith, for a workshop exploring the basics of botanical illustration in Autumn. Outdoor setting (shelter if required) at Summer Leys Nature Reserve. All materials provided. No drawing experience necessary. (See information on event)
Date: 24/10/2025 - 24/10/2025 at 18:30-21:00
This evening workshop is the perfect way to create something unique for your home and spend time relaxing, enjoying time with friends or just taking some time out for yourself. You will be provided with a pre-cut reclaimed wooden base for you to create and paint your own colourful design and finish (See information on event)
Date: 24/10/2025 - 31/10/2025 at 19:00-21:00
A double class focused on creating a pet portrait in acrylics. All materials and refreshments provided. Please just bring along an A4 print out of your chosen subject. The class is 2 x 2 hour sessions over 2 weeks. Friday 24th & 31st October 7-9pm both days. To book please contact the galleria t (See information on event)
Date: 25/10/2025 - 25/10/2025 at 13:00-16:00
Paint Without Brushes Sat 25 Oct 1-4pm The Shire Workshops, Wilbarston Book at http://www.nixiemade.com under Classes Join us at The Shire Workshops for an afternoon experimenting with paint! We'll ditch the brushe (See information on event)
Date: 25/10/2025 - 25/10/2025 at 12:00-16:00
Spend a few hours ‘painting with wool’ and create a beautiful landscape or seascape picture ready for framing or to give as a gift. This workshop is an excellent introduction to the medium of wet felting. You will learn not only how to lay out the wool and felt it, but also how to use different (See information on event)
Date: 01/11/2025 - 01/11/2025 at 13:00-16:00
Lino Printing For Winter Cards 1-4pm Saturday 1 November The Shire Workshops, Wilbarston Come along and learn to design, carve and print your own artwork for winter themed greetings cards, gift wrap, tags, notebooks, placeholders, postcards or bookmarks! Enjoy seeing your ideas grow into printed ima (See information on event)
Date: 04/11/2025 - 04/11/2025 at 19:00-21:30
Book your space at http://www.beccygillatt.com/events Silver Jewellery course suitable for all abilities. Learn 3 different techniques over 7 weeks and create at least 3 pieces of work from your own designs. 1 (See information on event)
Date: 07/11/2025 - 07/11/2025 at 10:00-13:00
Introduction to acrylics workshop. (See information on event)
