South East Open Studios (SEOS) 2016 has a special year. It is the twentieth anniversary of the event, which started life as West Kent Open Studios, with 46 studios opening. Some of these remain today, and in all there are now 250 artists and makers. To learn all about the whole event, go to the website.
The Open Studios runs June 3-19, and there is a very comprehensive catalogue available, covering the whole of the South East, including the local area, Ashford, Tenterden, Rye and Folkestone. All the open studios are listed with the opening times and the names and addresses of the wide range of artist and makers.
On Saturday, June 4, Smallhythe Studio, Smallhythe Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NB had a special launch (with refreshments), for those lucky enough to be invited, or who dropped in.
On the Saturday afternoon, three of the artists were exhibiting their skills, and the others were more than happy to discuss and explain their work, with a variety of prices and styles of work for sale, from Linda Davison’s lovely cards to much larger works from Michelle O’Neill. Linda also displayed large screen prints and spent considerable time talking about the processes of glass fusion that she uses. Joanne Weaver was working on a painting of her grandson and is also a tutor and has information on her classes as does Fran Russell, who works in oils in “plein air”. K Philip Harrison takes very beautiful digital images, capturing a dramatic moment, with wonderful colour and movement. Potter Cathy Dalton is inspired by her garden.
Samm Short was one of the artists giving a demonstration. She also has links with the Elysian Centre. Rowena McWilliams, who, together with Debbie Hayward, runs the Studio, was selling her oils and mixed media paintings of landscapes. Outside, there was a communal project, asking attendees to leave a painted picture of themselves or a friend, which was being enjoyed.
The variety available in one place make this an excellent venue, with car parking as an added bonus. Smallhythe Studio is interesting in itself and information on the exhibitions, art classes and its overall purpose and function can be found on its website
Photo: K Philip Harrison