Saturday 13 – Sunday 28 June 2009
EXPECTS TO BUILD ON ITS 2008 SUCCESS
From small beginnings, 24 years ago, the 16 day BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS event has grown to accommodate over 431 exhibiting artists and makers at 161 venues this year - the highest number of entries, venues & participants ever! Over 10,000 visitors are expected.
The aim of the popular two week event, this year running from Saturday 13th to Sunday 28th June, is to encourage the audience to experience first-hand what makes an artist tick; what inspires them in the first place, how this translates into a finished work, as well as the methods or techniques they use. To this end people can visit, without charge, studios, workshops, homes and galleries, to talk to exhibitors, see work in progress and attend workshops and demonstrations, all designed to open up the behind the scenes and mysterious world of the visual artist.
The main BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS event organised by VIG (Visual Images Group, an unfunded voluntary organisation), features the work of a wealth of talented artists and makers across Buckinghamshire exhibited in over 100 venues. Most work on display is for sale, with a range of prices to suit all pockets, including those of the serious collector.
Exhibiting artists include those involved with the more familiar painting, sculpture, furniture, jewellery and ceramics, plus some with more unusual skills including bookmaking, forged steel sculptures, felt work, knitwear and Chinese brush painting.
The free full colour 2009 directory, detailing all the exhibitors work, will be available from mid-May on the BUCKS OPEN STUDIOS website and from libraries, galleries and Tourist Information Centres around the county.
In addition to the main June exhibitions, there is a taster event planned. FANFARE, at Queens Park Centre, Aylesbury from 1st to 11th June, will showcase a variety of work from artists who will be opening studios during Bucks Open Studios.
Anyone interested in the arts can become a member and help support the work of the group and its events, all of which take on special significance in 2010 as it is the 25th anniversary year. A membership form can be found on the website.
Anyone wishing to get advance information about this year’s festival should email their interest to vi-group@btconnect.com, see the website at http://www.bucks-open-studios.org.uk/ or phone 01296 614 283
For further press information, including a colourful collection of high resolution images, contact Tei Williams 01869 337 940 or artsmarketing@btconnect.com
