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Now in its seventh year, Birmingham Open Studios is an art and craft trail with a difference. On the weekends of 23/24th September and 30th September/1st October 169 artists and creators across the city will be exhibiting their works in their own homes and studios. It allows artists of all experience to exhibit and sell their art & crafts. And it’s all free to visit.
Public visits, purchases, praise, and commissions give artists a reason to keep creating, and Open Studios means they do not have to pay high commission rates to galleries on sales, instead keeping the earnings themselves. Their ethos is to promote creativity in the area, with a focus on community cohesion.
The Ambassador for Birmingham Open Studios is ace local comedian, artist, TV presenter, filmmaker and so much more, Joe Lycett:
‘In Birmingham…there’s an approach (to art) that seems underground, rebellious, inclusive, funny, and ultimately unfazed by the rules of the traditional art world. Birmingham Open Studios is a very cool and inspiring opportunity to see that art where it’s made – in kitchens, living rooms, garden sheds, and beyond – that proves that anyone can and should make art.'
This year the artists include sculptors, painters, jewelers, embroiderers, ceramicists, printers, and digital artists. Amongst the many artists that have caught our attention is Mitch Schofield who will be painting ‘Live With Fire’, (see main image). Mitch will be demonstrating a 2000 year old technique known as Encaustic painting. We are informed that the Encaustic painting style involves mixing art and alchemy, Mitch will build up layers using beeswax, tree resin, and pigments as paint. Adding fire fuses the layers together. Her work is tactile, unusual, and filled with light, depth, and intrigue. To find out more about Mitch’s work, please visit here
Full details of all of the artists displaying their work as part of this year’s Birmingham Open Studios can be found here. where you can also find information on where you can pick up copies of this year’s guidebook to the event.
