Introduction

Welcome to the 20th Anniversary of Open Studios. It coincides with the 30th year of the Newbury Spring Festival, with which it has been associated since 1988. In May each year, Newbury is awash with two premier art forms, the visual arts and music, adding to the town's year round lively arts scene.

The Open Studios Scheme sets out to enhance understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts promoting access and the spirit of enquiry. The Festival brings an international perspective to the town through music of every kind. It celebrates excellence and takes up the challenge that this brings through classical, jazz and world music.

The visual artists salute the musicians and wish them well in their celebratory year

This Directory of Artists is the latest in a series of publications that has been central to the scheme from the beginning. It is an essential guide to be used, not only in May, but all the year round. In addition to travel directions and times of opening, the artists’ statements provide illuminating indications of what Open Studios is all about – finding out about works of art and how they are created.

Ceramicist, Dianna Barraclough, for instance, says …’I came out of Tate Modern at dusk and was bowled over by the silver birches – a living sculpture. So I began to make tall thin trees’. Mavina Baker talks of her trip walking Hadrian’s Wall as a source of inspiration and Sandy Ebden-Jackson describes the materials she uses for her jewellery; sterling silver, gemstones, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations we have launched our redesigned website. In addition to all the content of this Directory of Artists, the website allows you to visit the studios of some artists with a panorama tour - find this in the Artists at Work section. Interactive maps for every studio, exhibition and school will make planning your visits so much easier.

As you go through the Directory, you will find reference to our hands-on workshops devised and managed by Anne Jones. Among them, Stanley Spencer’s famous murals at Sandham Memorial Chapel, will again be the focus for a drawing workshop with the exciting addition of a visit to Cookham, Spencer’s birthplace, and the newly refurbished gallery there.

When Open Studios was first conceived there were only 18 artists in the scheme. Now there are around 100 in over 50 studios. Ask as many questions as possible when you visit a studio and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a work of art knowing its provenance. Commissioning new work is particularly interesting and creative in itself.

Up at New Greenham Arts, all the artists are represented in INSIGHT 2008, our massive flagship exhibition. There are also satellite exhibitions in other distinguished venues – The Corn Exchange, Arlington Arts, the West Berkshire Community Hospital, and the Central Library on the Wharf, Newbury. Artists from the Hungerford region will be showing at the Three Swans Hotel, Hungerford.

Have you looked at Johannes von Stumm’s sculpture Couple in conversation on the Robin Hood Roundabout? It is the focus and inspiration for the Newbury Town Trail's Family Learning residency which involves three schools. Other schools in Open Studios are doing a grand job for art, making sure that it retains its freshness and vitality in the future.

Open Studios has been widely supported throughout its long journey to raise awareness and accessibility in the visual arts. Professional expertise, offered by artists and administrators, and funding from our generous sponsors has contributed to its success in every way. On our 20th Anniversary a huge THANK YOU to them all.

Pat Eastop MBE,
January 2008

 

 

 

Printed copies of the Artists' Directory are available free at:

New Greenham Arts Centre, New Greenham Park, Newbury, RG19 6HN. Telephone 01635 817478

Tourist Information Centre, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS. Telephone 01635 30267.

The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD. Telephone 01635 582666.

Newbury Central Library, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AU. Telephone 01635 519900

Basingstoke Library, 19-20 Westminster House, Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS. Telephone 01256 473901

Waterstone's, 64, Northbrook Street, Newbury, RG14 1AE. Telephone 01635 569998

Town Hall, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5AA. Telephone 01635 35486

Fairfields Arts Centre, Basingstoke, Hants, RG21 3DH. Telephone 01256 321621

Basingstoke Information Centre, 19-20 Westminster House, Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS. Telephone 01256 841841

OPEN STUDIOS IS COMMITTED TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES. FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS CONSULT INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS OR VENUES.