ARTISTS across the Malvern Hills district are busy preparing to welcome visitors into their studios, homes and shared spaces over the August bank holiday weekend during Worcestershire Open Studios.
Now in its fourth year, the popular three-day event from Saturday to Monday gives visitors a unique opportunity to delve into unseen creative spaces and talk directly to artists about their inspiration and creative processes.
A diverse collection of arts and crafts will be available to see and buy in a range of different media, including printmaking, painting, textiles, photography, ceramics, jewellery and mixed media.
Sally Anne Morgan, artist and Worcestershire Open Studios co-organiser, said: “Discovering some of Worcestershire’s fantastic artistic talent is the perfect way to spend a bank holiday weekend.
“Whether you’re an art lover, a family looking for a trip out, a budding artist, or just fancy a day exploring our wonderful county, you’ll definitely receive a warm welcome.”
Participants are located at 81 locations across the county stretching from Bewdley to Colwall and Badsey to Bromsgrove.
With 33 venues in the Malvern Hills district, extending from Lower Broadheath and Leigh Sinton to Colwall and Upton Severn and Malvern itself, there’s no shortage of choice.
The event provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to interact with artists and makers such as expressive oil painter, Anna Cumming, who creates stunning paintings inspired by moody skies, turbulent seas, interesting reflections and the play of light.
This year she will be displaying a new body of work featuring local scenes and plans to demonstrate her skills by setting up her easel outside and painting the lovely view from her Upper Colwall garden.
Ceramicists Hiromi Nakajima and John Beck are among the artists taking part for the first time.
Hiromi is hoping her animal sculptures will bring a smile to visitors’ faces, while John’s functional stoneware is sure to tempt a few buyers.
Other first timers include photographer, Mark Zytynski, whose love of trees permeates much of his work, Geoff Rowswell, primarily a landscape artist working in watercolour, pastels and acrylics, colourful batik artist Jacqui Worrall and passionate wildlife photographers Paul and Claire Lloyd.
This will be the third Worcestershire Open Studios for mixed media artist, Trudi Foggo.
“I thought year one was brilliant, especially as I was paralysed with fear at the thought of doing it and then last year was absolutely brilliant,” she said.
With such expressive landscapes and architecture, Worcestershire is full of inspiration for creatives, like painter Louise Pilditch who lives and works on the edge of the Malvern Hills.
“Landscape and dawn are sources of inspiration for my paintings,” he said.
“I am drawn to the craggy and irregular, and I love the drama of the returning light and colour.
“I see my work as a continuation of the Romantic Landscape tradition.”
As well as introducing guests to their creative habitats, some artists are also offering a chance to try out their crafts, with demonstrations and have a go sessions.
Malvern School of Art, co-sponsors of the event, will host a large exhibition featuring a range of work created by its talented tutors and Elmslie House will show colourful, evocative paintings by Antony Bridge.
Visit www.worcestershireopenstudios.org.uk for more.
