Introduction
Welcome to Open Studios 2012. Over 120 artists are waiting to greet you as you visit them in their studios, workshops and exhibitions in this illustrious year. What a year it will be with the Queen’s Jubilee and the London Olympics bringing visitors to Britain from all over the world. We take this opportunity to honour Her Majesty and congratulate her on her amazing sixty year reign during which she has shown delight in both sport and the arts.
What are we doing to celebrate the fact that so many athletes will be demonstrating excellence and creativity in London? Well, in addition to opening studios as they have done over the past twenty four years, artists will be taking part in events that explore the Olympic theme. Over 100 will contribute to a major work, ‘Olympic Spirit’ – a collaborative art project, directed by Anne Jones and exhibited at the Corn Exchange. At the same time, photographer Anne Webster has been devising an exhibition, ‘Art in Sport’, for the Newbury Central Library. In May, a group of artists will present ‘Life Force’ an exhibition curated by Jane Vaidya in the Corn Exchange. Our annual education project looks at the very beginning of the games in ancient Greece. The project will begin with a visit to the Antiquities Department of the Ashmolean Museum led by theatre artist, Tim Godwin. Look out for artists who are opening their studios in celebration on the weekend of 28th and 29th July.
The Directory of Artists and the ever developing website are central to Open Studios. Use them to find your way to artists who between them cover a huge range of art disciplines. In Basingstoke, Siobhan Jones shows a collection of fused glass and wall panels. In Marlborough, Meryl Ainslie exhibits 100+ pieces of cast silver inspired by her journeys to Thailand, India and - Swindon! In Newbury, Dick Pelham has this to say, ‘Matisse said that figurative painting “is making space”, such space is inevitably subjective. The magic, I think, lies in being able to touch others, hence bridging the gap between subjective and objective.’
All of the artists are represented in an exciting exhibition in the distinguished gallery at New Greenham Arts called ‘INSIGHT 2012’. The title is apposite, for talking to artists and looking at their work gives an insight into creative thinking of all kinds. In the exhibition as in the studios, there are works for sale – snap them up before the galleries do! Other exhibitions are taking place at Sir Terence Conran’s Benchmark, Arlington Arts and the West Berkshire Community Hospital.
The aim of Open Studios is to create awareness about the visual arts and make them more accessible. This might also lead to participation in an art form. If you are keen on this, take advantage of our hands-on workshops and look out for courses offered in the studios.
Visit artists in their studios and find out more about the visual arts, craft and design. Go by bike, taking the routes suggested on the Cycle Map based on West Berkshire Council's rural cycle route series.
Art is for everyone and our committee and administrators, led by Glenn and Lesley Clarkson have worked hard to make this possible. The local, national and international arts scene is firmly highlighted in this region through Open Studios and the wonderful music of the Newbury Spring Festival. In thanking everyone involved, I urge you to reach out and join us in this year of culture par excellence.
Pat Eastop MBE
Chair Open Studios