Skipton Open Studios 2018 to open its doors to creatives of all kinds

Skipton Open Studios, sponsored by Skipton International and run by ArtHouse Jersey, celebrates the wealth of talented artists and makers in Jersey. In its ninth year, ArtHouse Jersey is now stretching the Open Studios event beyond the visual arts for the first time ever, inviting creatives of every discipline to showcase their work. Artists, musicians and designers are able to open their rehearsal spaces, creative agencies and recording studios to the public, to better reflect the huge variety of creative people making work in the island. The fortnight-long event presents an opportunity for the public to get a sense of the thriving artistic culture of the Island and find out exactly how local artists produce their work.

Thanks to ongoing partnerships developed with Jersey Heritage and the National Trust for Jersey, unique properties such as the White House, The Elms and Grève de Lecq barracks, are transformed each year into pop-up studios and exhibition spaces by local creatives, creating an alternative experience for visitors from Jersey as well as tourists.

Participating studios, rehearsal rooms, recording suites and creative spaces around the Island will be free for the public to visit during the weekends of the 23^rd-24^th June and 30th June-1^st July. ArtHouse Jersey will be announcing details of further special events, workshops, demos and private views taking place as part of the 2018 Open Studios soon.

ArtHouse Jersey is currently seeking participants in the event, looking especially to engage with individuals who haven’t previously participated. Alice Bravery, Producer for ArtHouse Jersey, said:

‘Each year we try to mix up the formula of the Open Studios to keep it relevant to local artists and the wider community. This year we’re very excited to be welcoming new creatives of all kinds to take part in the event. We want to hear from a huge variety of creative islanders making original work, including designers, writers, musicians, architects, and theatre-makers, as I think it’s so important that the event reflects the diversity and wealth of creativity in Jersey. For visitors there’s no better opportunity to get a sense of the true artistic undercurrent of the island, which plays a hugely important role in our culture and community.’

2017 saw ArtHouse Jersey take a break from the Skipton Open Studios to pursue the Skipton Arts Series - the umbrella term that encompasses the Open Studios as well as other community arts events throughout the coming year. 2017 events included the successful Paper Talks project which saw thousands of islanders try their hand at the art of paper-cutting, and commissioned projects including the DIY Terrarium Project run by Will Bertram at the Link Gallery and Ben Robertson’s Mural Project, amongst others.

Aaron Waldon, Commercial Manager, Skipton International said: “We have supported ArtHouse Jersey for many years now as their community arts events bring Jersey to life and are something the whole Island can become involved with. Extending the scope of artists able to participate in this year’s Open Studios will no doubt bring new energy to the event and more importantly provide a larger platform to showcase local talent.”

Creatives, agencies and groups interested in taking part should visit the ArtHouse Jersey website, www.arthouse.je where they can find details about the event, or email Alice Bravery on alice@arts.je before the application deadline of the 31^st January.