Welcome
In this newly re-scheduled open studio event, we are delighted to present our twentieth anniversary edition, which takes place across 115 studios with 200 artists taking part across the county and nearby borders, this is a real celebration of all of our artists and makers working across disciplines.
In this extraordinary year, SAOS has been working hard to ensure all artists can accommodate visitors in a safe and welcoming environment. All information on which open studios are taking part will be held on our website only.
Surrey Artists Open Studios is a fantastic opportunity to meet Surrey based artists and makers, to find out more about their work, and buy directly from talented artists, continuing to support them at this challenging time.
Our opening weekend will be slightly different this year, there will be demonstrations and artists are looking forward to sharing their new work with visitors, in a safe socially distanced way. We ask that all visitors have face masks, hand sanitiser will be available when you enter studios.
This year SAOS has awarded two bursaries to artists who have had a career break and/or recently re-trained to take part for the first time in open studios. They are Thomas Cooke, a painter who has been using this opportunity to return to painting and create a new body of work and Vicky O’Leary, a textiles artist who creates machine embroidery and textiles whilst juggling family life-all the more challenging right now.
Our artists have created a series of artist trails where a number are near-by or are linked by artform, these can help you plan a day out, some can be walked or cycled, combining culture and being outdoors.
During the week, 1-2-1 appointments are available with artists and makers, these can be booked in advance directly with artists-please see individual listings to do this.
Plan your visits using the website, as well as our interactive map and of course all the artist-led trails, we hope to see you in an open studio soon. Use these quick area links: North, East, Central, South and West.
Caitlin Heffernan
Programme Manager
Surrey Artists Open Studios