Getting a Taste of Open Studios - The Forum Becomes a Showcase for Local Artists

Anyone passing through The Forum in Norwich this week cannot have helped noticing the art exhibition running in the main atrium. Not that there is anything particularly unusual about that. The Forum hosts several art exhibitions over the course of the year. But what marks out this one as a little bit special is that it is a Taster Exhibition, a introductory showcase intended to stimulate interest in the annual Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios programme, which runs this year from 27th May to 11th June. Along with five other 'taster' exhibitions being staged throughout the county, the exhibition in The Forum acts as an easily accessible appetiser to the main programme which opens at the end of next month.

As well as having a look around the exhibition, I spent a few hours there as a volunteer invigilator on Tuesday, got to speak to a number of artists, and even bought a painting.

The first thing that strikes you as you walk around the exhibition is the wonderful diversity of the works on display. As well as the usual paintings, photographs and ceramics there are textiles, sculptures and items of jewellery and bespoke lighting, and a huge variety of materials and subjects used. Almost every item on show is for sale, and although some of the pieces would set you back several thousands of pounds there are many items available for considerably less. The painting that I selected cost little more than a framed print from a high street store, yet I now own a unique piece of art.

Over the course of my afternoon I met photographer Howard, whose archive of digital and film prints of famous musicians is now being raided to produce a collection of limited prints. His image of blues legend B.B.King, taken in 2009, captures the essence of the guitarist during a live performance in London.

Ceramicist Michelle is exhibiting a beautiful stoneware vase inspired by the images sent back from the International Space Station during British astronaut Tim Peake's mission last year. She sees Open Studios not only as an opportunity to display her work via the Taster Exhibition in Norwich, but also to attract visitors to her studio in Oby, near Great Yarmouth.

Everyone will have their own favourite pieces, and I have to admit that mine is a large seascape, 'Fresh Sea Breeze', by North Norfolk artist Tracey Ross. Perhaps too expensive for my limited budget, but her work always seems to perfectly capture the light and colours of the Norfolk coastline.

So, what next? Well, hang on to your Open Studios brochure and set aside some time in late May or early June to plan a trip to some of your favourite artists' studios. Do not feel intimidated or pressured into purchasing at each and every stop. The artists are not expecting to make a sale from every single visitor, although many will have a range of affordable items and cards or prints that you may well be tempted by. And if you do feel inclined to spend some hard-earned cash on a painting or vase, then you can feel satisfied in purchasing a unique piece of art, and also by supporting a local artist. Pick up a selection of the special 'Art Trail' flyers - where a group of studios exist in close proximity a special route has been devised to enable you visit several within a short distance of each other. Throw in some nice weather, possibly a pub lunch, and you have all the ingredients for a lovely day out.

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios Central Taster Exhibition runs until Sunday April 30th at The Forum in Millenium Plain, Norwich.

Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios, in association with Wex Photographic, runs from Saturday May 27th until Sunday June 11th. Check the main programme brochure for individual studios' opening times.

www.nnopenstudios.org.uk

NNF Open Studios - A Taster of Things to Come and a Brush with Local Artists

We are all used to seeing art exhibitions inside the Forum in Norwich, and I always try to stop and take a look. As with music and writing, it is always a sobering experience to stop and appreciate just how much artistic talent we have within the city, and throughout the county. Whilst the media will always focus on household names, and big business has the profit motive to promote its own product and artists, there is so much to like locally that can be enjoyed, or even purchased, without spending a fortune.

 In the same way that farmers have promoted the idea of buying direct from the producer, and our restaurants are quick to extol the enhanced tastes and textures that comes with dishes prepared using locally sourced ingredients, the arts world, too, can encourage us to appreciate and purchase local produce.

Which is exactly why the Norfolk and Norwich Festival organises the annual Open Studios. Now in its 21st year, the scheme encourages us to visit the workshops and studios across the county in which local artists work and create their art. Over three weekends between May 23rd and June 7th it will be possible to visit and view the work of 450 artists, either individually or as part of one of 17 local art trails. There is no charge, no obligation to buy, and each location can be found in the Open Studios brochure, and easily identified by the Open Studios banner displayed outside.

I have just visited the Central Taster Exhibition which was held last week inside the Forum, and it has certainly whetted my appetite to get out and participate in some of the trails, as well as visit the studios of several individual artists that I admire. Whilst I do not have much of an income at present, I still prefer purchasing original art to simply picking up expensive framed prints from the high street stores. And it is not necessary to spend that much more in order to hang a unique and personal piece of work in your own home.

The most expensive painting that I saw at the Forum was the stunningly beautiful 'Portrait of Ruby' by Norwich painter Paul Smith. Priced at £950 this was outside my budget, but will surely find a willing buyer. Much more affordable at only £145 was a mixed media composition by one of my favourite local artists, Tracey Ross. 'Spring - Holkham to Wells' is typical of her expressive seascapes which capture the colours and beauty of the North Norfolk coast. Not surprisingly, someone had already snapped this one up, but it certainly provides the interest and incentive to make a visit to the studio.

Other pieces that attracted a lot of attention included the spiralling metal sculpture 'Vortex II' by Thomas Joynes (yours for £2000) and the life-size textile 'Stag Head' by Jo Rochester (£295). Local landscapes are always going to be popular, and there were a selection on show, including Anne Filgate's nautical study 'Wells at Dusk' (£95), or a more esoteric insider's view of  Norwich's 'The Bicycle Shop' by Paul Cozens (£185). Remember, these prices are a fraction of what you could pay in a London gallery, and often less than you would pay for an unsigned framed print.

By supporting local artists, we are helping support our local economy, promoting not only the individual artists but also raising awareness of Norfolk in general, including our important tourism trade. Organisations like Norfolk and Norwich Festival are vital to contribute to and expand the profile of our local artists. Perhaps this should be borne in mind when support grants from the likes of Norfolk County Council are cut back so drastically. But that is another story. In the meantime, get out and enjoy the Open Studios weekends. Pick up a brochure from the Forum, or check out the website :

 http://www.nnopenstudios.org.uk/. 

And, if you see something that you like enough, and can afford, buy a piece of local art!