Register for Devon Open Studios

Registration for Devon Open Studios 2012 is now open! The event is open to any Devon-based artist or maker. 

If you would like to take part or find out more, please email our new co-ordinator Claire McLaughlin at devonopenstudios@gmail.com or download the registration forms and info from our Resources page. Closing date for entries will be Thursday 1st March.

The Devon Open Studios event itself will take place between September 8-23 2012 at venues across the county. Participating artists can choose to open for the whole event or selected days of their own choosing.

Devon Open Studios is the largest annual art event in the county.  In 2011, over  370 artists opened their studios in 146 locations across Devon during the 16 day event in September.  The 2011 event was a tremendous success, with total sales and commissions reaching £192,266, a 21% increase compared to 2010.

The unique benefits of  the Devon Open Studios event are many. It allows the public free access to meet artists and enjoy art in our beautiful county. Where else can artists show their artwork, exactly as they wish, whilst retaining 100% of their sales?  Devon Open Studios is an exciting opportunity for people interested in art and craft to build social and professional connections with others they wouldn’t normally meet due to geographic or occupational seclusion.  As one visitor said "For a non-artist like myself, it is lovely seeing the artists or craftsmen in their own studios and being able to look informally at their work."

Teignmouth painter Liz Mogford (work pictured above) was only open for five days during the show in 2010 and sold out completely.  "I was so pleased that the brochure and publicity generated visits from over 70 people without the exertion of going to a gallery. They were coming in the front door and through the back too, loads from Exmouth and as far as Axminster. I loved meeting people and I sold 21 canvases."  lizmogfordart@yahoo.co.uk

Bideford painter John Hurford (pictured left) also had a successful event: "I found it very exciting meeting lots of different people, in the hundreds! And as a result I sold very well."  www.johnhurford.co.uk

If you wondered about the benefits of taking part in open studios events, see this interesting article.

For further information about Devon Open Studios, including requests for guides, please contact us at devonopenstudios@gmail.com or call 07768 164 560