The Young Contemporaries poster
Our Open Studios weekend, happening Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May, is a celebration of art produced throughout West Studios. The Open Studios comes in two exciting parts, the first being our tenants opening up their studios to you. Throughout the day there will be talks, demonstrations and even workshops.
The second part of our Open Studios is the Young Contemporaries exhibition. This is where we have worked with a group of Chesterfield College students for them to put on their own contemporary exhibition.
Current Tenants Confirmed to be part of our Open Studios:
Kooky Curios - Vintage Collectables Antiques & Arts.
S40 Local - Local Magazine. Paul, the owner of S40 local, will be working from his studio throughout the day.
Ray Castleton - Actor, part of 'The Melting Shop' theatre company. Ray will be talking about an upcoming play and doing a reading from the play.
Edie OP - Local Illustrator. Edie will be working on her current projects from her studio and showing the process she goes through to work.
Tilly Fudge Design - Wedding Stationary and Prints. Talking about the services she provides, showing examples of her work and working from her studio.
Blue Oxen - A Sustainable and Ethical Women's wear Brand. Blue Oxen will be Selling items from their basics and bespoke range. They will also be working from their studio throughout the day so you can see how this small business operates.
Sarah Pasley - Silversmith. Sarah will be making some jewellery from her studio throughout the day and you'll be able to buy her jewellery directly from her.
Inuro Art - Encaustic Artist (Paintings in bee's wax). Sue, owner of Inuro Art, will be having a closing down sale of her work as she moves onto new projects.
John King - Fine Artist. John will be painting in his studio throughout the weekend. He will also be holding a free self portrait and an illustration workshop, find out more information below.
Sparky Ink Studio - Gaming and Animation Studio. Sparky Ink Studio will be doing some basic animation in their studio.
Workshops
Saturday
Self portrait introduction with John King, 11.00am-1.30pm (half hour break at 12.00-12.30pm). Using line and tone to generate a likeness. This is primarily a fun session so exact likeness isn’t necessarily your goal. You must contact John King or West Studios to book onto this workshop.
Talk on Sustainable fashion with Blue Oxen owner April Spence, 12pm. April will be discussing why she chose to make her company sustainable and ethical and the importance of this.
Sunday
Illustration introduction with John King, 11.00am-12.30pm. (half hour break at 12.00-12.30pm). In this session you will be playing around with visual imagery. An ‘idiom’ will be your starting point. Again this is primarily intended to be fun. Realism not required. Imagination is what matters. You must contact John King or West Studios to book onto this workshop.
Chesterfield College Students who're part of the 'Young Contemporaries' exhibition:
Ellie Rhodes - Photography student. Ellie will be displaying collections of her work in our 'Studio' room, with some of her work for sale.
Kai Undrell - Film/Media student. The Young contemporaries exhibition will be debut of Kai's short film 'Sykes' in our Meeting Room, with showings throughout the day.
Grace Banks - Art and Design student, specialising in textiles. Grace is hoping to start her own Menswear brand after she's finished her college course. She will be displaying some work from her Final Major Project during the Young Contemporaries Exhibition.
Harriet Waterfall - Art and Design student, specialising in textiles. Harriet is wanting a career in costume design after her college course. During the weekend she will be displaying her work from her Final Major Project.
Moy Weston - Art and Design student, specialising in fine art. Moy will be displaying some of his latest work during the exhibition and live painting throughout the weekend.
Syed Abubakr - Art and Design student, specialising in visual communications. Syed's work will be available to view in our 'Studio' room and will have his work for sale.
Demonstrations
Sykes - Short Film Viewings. The Meeting Room will be set up like a scene from the film, with props from the film displayed around the room. As you take your seat there will be a short talk/introduction by film maker Kai Undrell. Showing times for the film will be 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm.