Argyll’s Art Event of the Year, Open Studios, runs from Friday 12th – Monday 15th August 2011, 10am – 5pm daily.

Artmap Argyll was formed in 2008 with the Annual Open Studio Event as the primary focus of their activities.  Each year they continue to expand – in numbers of artists and the variety and scope of events.

‘The varied landscape and beautiful light of Argyll have drawn a great diversity of artists to live and work there. When we founded Artmap Argyll, even we were astounded at the number and variety of artists who were quietly ‘creating’ in this area. The trouble was that we were doing it too quietly, and so we started the Open Studio Weekend to help share our work with the public’.

“I myself am really looking forward to visiting other artists in their places of work and finding out what inspires them” said one of the artists, Jane Smith. “You can get a completely fresh understanding – of a landscape for example – when an artist shares the way they see it. And it’s not just painters who will be sharing their work. Weavers, sculptors, print-makers, ceramicists and glass artists are just some of the other artists involved.”

The Open Studio event is a great opportunity to search out and learn about different types of artwork without feeling any pressure to purchase. Many people find art a bit impenetrable, so this is a chance to question different artists and become familiar with their work. And if you do fall in love with a piece, then you have the added experience of buying it directly from the person who made it.

For further information about the Open Studio Weekend, go to www.artmapargyll.com or pick up a brochure from libraries, shops or tourist venues in the area. The website allows you to keep up to date with news and activities, see some of the artists’ work and contact them.

Source: Artmap Argyll