Heather Burgess
Publicity Officer
South East Open Studios (SEOS)
phone: 07545 642 581
email: publicity@seos-art.org
web: www.seos-art.org
twitter: @SEOpenStudios
Facebook: South East Open Studios
March, 25 2014
With 2 images
NEWS RELEASE
South East Open Studios (SEOS)
Friday 6 – Sunday 22 June 2014
This June, 300 artists are confirmed to take part in one of the largest Open Studio events
in England. With venues across Kent, East Sussex and the Surrey borders the South
East Open Studios creates an opportunity to see behind the scenes of an artist’s
workspace and meet the artist in an informal atmosphere.
Now in its 18th year the South East Open Studios takes place every summer, with the
next event from Friday 6th to Sunday 22ndJune. Whether you’re a professional artist or
just curious, the event offers a unique insight into various art practices. Paul Williams,
Chairman of the South East Open Studios said “SEOS is the most extensive Open Studio
event in the South East. For 17 days in June, Artists and Makers across Kent and East
Sussex, open their doors to the public every year, creating a once-a-year unmissable
opportunity.”
With free demonstrations, a chance to ask questions, time to buy original pieces and
learn more about your community. What’s more - entry into all the venues is free offering
a great day out for all ages, interests and budgets.
A free guide book with all the listings is available from May and viewable on the website.
Trail maps are also available to help you easily plan your route and create an enjoyable
summer’s day. Please visit www.seos-art.org for more information.
- ENDS –
For enquiries please contact Heather Burgess on 07545 642 581 or publicity@seosart.org
Image captions as named
NOTE TO EDITORS -
Please see the below article “What is an Open Studio?” which can provide a useful
and informative addition to the SEOS news release.
“What is an Open Studio?” Don’t worry it’s not a silly question
Never visited an open studio before? Don't like going into galleries? Think meeting artists and
makers would be awkward or intimidating?
Open Studio events take place throughout the UK and abroad every year, and ever since the
downturn in Arts funding more and more are becoming artist led and self-funded.
The modern ‘open studio’ movement as it is now known, came into being in the UK around the
1970’s with the ‘Artists At Home in Chiswick & West London’ and the ‘Cambridge Open Studios’,
amongst the first recorded.
Now there are hundreds of Open Studio events throughout the year and across every county in
the UK. These events have been established to help promote artists and to encourage
networking. Artists and makers can choose to take part as a group or as an individual, in a town,
city or in a remote area of the countryside – all attracting tourists, art lovers, buyers and other
artists to visit over a designated period of time.
As a visitor, don't let preconceived ideas make you miss out on some of the greatest art and craft
shows available today. Open Studios are not like galleries - there is no obligation or pressure to
buy and in most cases you will meet the artist in person who will be glad to chat to you about their
work, often passing on hints and tips.
And, best of all, entry is free! - With many of the studios providing free refreshments.
For artists, it is a great opportunity to raise their profile and develop new skills in promoting their
own art practice. Their work becomes available to a wider and more diverse audience. Some
studios will have several artists showing a variety of art and craft, some offer workshops,
demonstrations and work to commission. If you wish to make a purchase, work is available for
sale and the artist is always flattered that you have chosen one of their creations. Prices vary but
can start from as little as 50p for an original card design.
Open Studio events also promote economic growth in the community, with visitors discovering
restaurants, cafes, shops and pubs they may never have known existed.
South East Open Studios is geographically the largest event of its kind in the South East and now
in its 18th year. The next event takes place from 6th – 22nd June 2014. A wide range of work will
be on show from traditional oil, watercolours and sculpture to contemporary ceramics, textiles
and jewellery.
A free full colour guide will be published in May that includes a description of each artist's work
with contact details, travel directions and maps. The guide will also be available in flip book and
PDF formats on the website - www.seos-art.org - along with Trail Maps available for visitors to
plan a day out with a difference.
The South East Open Studios has become a year round organisation. Members can enjoy
monthly newsletters full of information, interviews and art opportunities. The website has a
message board for artists to share topics and is used by galleries as a database for searching out
new talent.