What is an Open Studios Event?

Open Studios are an established feature of many places in the UK. 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.

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Introduction to Open Studios Hebrides and what it has become today

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When Gill Thompson started this group in 2021, it was to create the first Open Studios event in Lewis. Under her creativity and vision, and later with others who assisted her, OSH developed into a thriving creative community. Gill has passed the baton to other members to carry and advance into what it has become today.

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We have talked recently about changing our name and have now become Deò: Hebridean Artists Collective. We felt the name change was necessary in order to broaden the group from just an open studios event with a couple of exhibitions a year into something much broader where we incorporate days out and artist talks and workshops. We also wanted the name to be fitting with the islands and the strong Gaelic culture. We now include all of Lewis and Harris and have spread south into Uist. While our Summer Open Studios event is still our biggest event, we are now more than 'Open Studios'. We have a comprehensive website that provides every member with an online gallery of their work, regular member exhibitions and an active online peer support group.

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Each member plies their individual creative work in studios, sheds, spare bedrooms, wherever a studio space can be carved out.​ Deò 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, containing contact information, opening times and location. Please note, that not all of our members have a studio space open to the public, some open their studio just for our Summer Open Studios event, and other members will show their work in our group venues.

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

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Why Deò?

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Deò (pronounced jaaw) is Gaelic for breath, but also air.  It’s a ray of light, but also the vital spark of life. It’s vision, but not just sight. It’s vision that allows one to see beyond, even beyond the veil.  And it is the place where a stream falls into the sea, where one life or path merges with the infinite, where we are all connected.  Deò is almost like a mantra, a chant that draws you to that point where the stream lets out into the sea, a place between worlds, a gateway through which past and future both flow.

 

The beauty and the deep meaning of Gaelic words can enliven our language learning as we weave through lenition, the genitive case, and grammatical challenges.  However, it can also be a path to reorient us, to turn us back to what we have forgotten about our connection to the earth, to each other, and to how we view our world. 

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Events

With our group of volunteers we bring the following annual events to life:

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Summer Open Studios

Our highlight event is an opportunity for people to visit members in their studios and learn about their work and working practices. Some members exhibit their work in shared community venues, where sharing their own studio with the public is impossible or impractical.

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This event provides a unique opportunity for people to see our stunning island environment and discover the range of art and crafts produced by our skilled artists and makers.

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Member Exhibitions

We organise several member exhibitions around the islands during the year. We are always looking for new venues to hold exhibitions, so please get in touch with us if you know of any opportunities.​

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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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Out and About

​Throughout the year we hold out and abouts. This gives the chance for our artists to meet up with one another and visit other galleries or meet at set locations to have a few hours of exploring and creating with some company. 

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Occasional Artisan Markets

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