Open Studios Final Call

Swindon Open Studios Final Call for All Artists & Creatives – 31st March.

Time is running out! The deadline is midnight on Monday 31st March for anyone wishing to register for the 2025 Swindon Open Studios (SOS) Community Art event this September. 

There’s 18 spaces left for artists who don’t have a dedicated studio or workshop here. People who WORKwithin 15 miles of Swindon’s town centre are welcome to apply. They can join one of several Pop-Up exhibitions around Swindon.

There’s 18 spaces left for artists who don’t have a dedicated studio or workshop here. People who WORK within 15 miles of Swindon’s town centre are welcome to apply. They can join one of several Pop-Up exhibitions around Swindon.

This 21st Open Studios event is FREE to the public and takes place the last two weekends of September. 

Ethos

The main ethos is for artists to open their studios, workshops and creative spaces. This lets visitors understand where the creative magic happens and ask about techniques and processes, as well as see an artist’s life’s work. It’s particularly fascinating to see how an artist’s interests, chosen themes and colour palettes evolve over time. Think Pablo Picasso’s Blue period!

Yet, sometimes it’s not practical for an artist to have visitors going into their private, creative space. It might not be big enough, parking may be difficult or perhaps they have a pet that doesn’t like strangers. 

Chair of the voluntary Committee Anna Enright says ‘Offering small pop-up exhibitions with a handful of artists removes barriers to entry. So we’re totally inclusive. Visitors get to see a wider range of wonderful creations that are otherwise hidden. It’s often affordable original art which is unique. And so much more special because its produced locally.’

Some very high-calibre work is on display. For example, photographer and digital artist Michelle Whitmore has won two international awards with the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers in the Portrait and Illustrative Print sections. Michelle liaises with the artists and says ‘A very successful campaign has attracted several first-time exhibitors. And we’re thrilled to welcome them to our friendly community of professional, hobby and amateur artists. So far, we’ve had 66 entries so it might be the biggest ever SOS event and art trail yet for visitors to enjoy exploring!’

See https://www.swindonopenstudios.org/for-artists for useful guides on how to register.

Spaces

Seven pop up venues still have spaces available including:

• Artsite
• Great Moorleaze Farm
• Richard Jefferies Museum
• STEAM
• Stratton Juniors FC, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery
• and The Wyvern Theatre. 

To book one of these spaces, be quick! Four other venues are already full! To apply you will need a hi-resolution square image of recent work and a means of paying online.