As the springtime arrived, the Ouseburn Art Studios opened its doors.
If you had time to go around, or just happened to be lucky enough to be there, you might have heard about this artistic experience, which happens every 6-months in the lovely area of Ouseburn. The latest edition took place on the weekend 16-17th March, and if you unfortunately missed this gem, allow me to introduce it to you!
On 36 Lime Street, the art studios are in the beating heart of local community, among many smaller creative businesses (Seven Stories, Northern Print, Flaura Rose). Its door might be hard to find, but once you follow the marked path into the building, be prepared to amaze yourself.
The beauty of this event is the authenticity of the actual artists and their home-based studios, where they, among their finished work, have side-by-side many of the projects-to-be and the equipment they use. Living up to the name Open Studios, it is an accessible place, with an open mindset and approach to people. The fresh look on their work and opportunity to talk to artists about literally anything makes it a unique studio to visit.
The creativeness couldn't be represented better. On each floor, the visitors can see a bit of painting, making sculptures, crafting their own jewellery, making ceramics, glass working or find out more about lithography. All of the open spaces drag you directly into the process of creating the new products. You would be surprised to find how many projects in your local area are influenced by the craft work of these people and how many more projects are in development!
As well as admiring their work, you have the opportunity to buy the the products, or at least, their smaller reproduction as souvenirs or a really nice gift. And if you feel inspired enough to dare to try, most of the artists run workshops where they are more than happy to show how you can create yourself.
Whilst this weekend has already been-and-gone, the next opportunity to go is on 23rd and 24th November. Until that date, feel free to visit Ouseburn on your own, check out the little shops on Lime Street and just enjoy the atmosphere of the valley!
