Artists' Open House Weekends


More than 100 local artists taking part this year

More than 100 artists will invite members of the public into their homes in October as part of a borough-wide celebration of art.

The Wandsworth Artists' Open House event sees artists based in Wandsworth showcase and sell their work in their own environment.

It is organised by Wandsworth Council's arts team, in conjunction with an artists' steering committee, and takes place on the weekends of October 6 and 7 and October 13 and 14.

The event gives visitors a glimpse of the artists' home and studio environments, as well as the opportunity to meet them and discuss their work.

From crafts to design, sculpture, painting, jewellery, photography, drawing, film and installations, visitors to the various houses will have a great variety of works to view and buy.

Wandsworth's culture spokesman, Councillor Jonathan Cook, said: "The Open House weekends are a fantastic opportunity for those looking to buy their first original art piece to do so.

"Last year's event attracted more than 8,000 visitors to over 100 venues across the borough - and generated about £150,000 in sales for local artists."

A map of the all the open houses is available online at www.wandsworthart.com or in libraries. The website also allows visitors to build their own trail, stopping off for a coffee or bite to eat along the way during the family friendly event.

As part of Artists' Open House there will also be Big Draw activities, including:

  • The Drawing Room With a Twist at De Morgan Centre, in West Hill, on October 7, where exhibition space will be transformed into a drawing room of a typical Victorian arts and crafts home.
  • Three Little Pigs at Sprout, in Furzedown, which will be home to a specially built structure made of fly-away, knockdown-able and heavy duty material. The installation was created by local children with storyteller Alison Royce, artist Caroline Ward and Architects Hut. It is open from October 16 to 21.
  • Inspired by the Spirograph at the Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park . On October 13, artist Lesley Halliwell will have an afternoon of drop-in drawing activities to celebrate her work, whichwill be on display in the gallery.

To learn about other activities on offer go to www.thebigdraw.org.

For more information about Artists' Open House visit www.wandsworthart.com or contact the arts team on 020 8871 8711 or arts@wandsworth.gov.uk.

To read the event brochure in full visit www.calameo.com/read/0015523819e6f73506841.


September 13, 2012