What is an Open Studios Event?

Open Studios are an established feature of many places in the UK. Scotland boasts some very successful events.

 

Artists and makers open their studios or workplaces over a set period and welcome the public to come and meet them, view their work and learn a little more about the wealth and variety of creativity produced locally.

 

Following the OSH art trail is a great way to seek out unique gifts and artwork with a flavour of the Hebrides and meet the artists and makers in their own settings.

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Who we are

Open Studios Hebrides is a group of artists and makers living and working across Harris, Lewis and, for the first time in 2024, Uist. Each member plies their individual creative work in studios, sheds, spare bedrooms, wherever a studio space can be carved out.

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OSH members aim to show their work to the island community and tourists, giving them the opportunity to meet new people, make new connections and share their arts and crafts in their own studio settings or other venues.

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All members are showcased on our website with an individual gallery, this contains contact information, opening times and location. Please note, not all of our members have a studio space that is open to the public, some open their studio just for Open Studios, other members will be showing their work in our group venues.

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As well as the Summer Open Studios events, we also run member exhibitions, throughout the year, at various island galleries. Please see elsewhere on the website for further information about both current and past exhibitions. You can also find information on our Free Art Monday, Stornoway Art Walk, Schools Competition and Artisan Craft Market.

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Established in Lewis in 2021, Open Studio events have proved to be a great success each year, with a steady expansion across Lewis and Harris and now into Uist.

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As our main Open Studios Event approaches, we will be producing our usual guide that contains a wealth of information about how to visit the members in their studios and our group venues.

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Events

With funding support from Creative Scotland our group of volunteers bring the following annual events to life:

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Open Studios

The highlight event, is an opportunity for people to visit Artists in their studios and learn about their work and working practices. The studios are grouped into 'Art Trails' based around the island. Some Artists exhibit their work in shared spaces throughout the community, where it isn't possible or practical to share their studios with the public.

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It provides a unique opportunity for people to follow the Art Trails, explore the beautiful Isles of Lewis and Harris, see our stunning island environment and discover the range of art produced by our skilled artists and makers.

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Member Exhibitions

We organise several member exhibitions around the islands during the year.

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Stornoway Art Walk

Promoting local artists by exhibiting examples of their work and contact details in shop windows in the centre of town. There will be a map of this Art Walk trail with details of the shops and the artists they are promoting.​

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Free Art Day in the lead up to the Open Studios Summer weekends

Artists promote their work by placing a small piece of their artwork where it can be found by a member of the public. Watch out for clues on Facebook and Instagram and you could find a piece of free artwork from one of our artists - FINDERS KEEPERS!

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Artisan Markets

Opportunities for some of our artists to sell their quality handmade products and art.

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