STAFFORD artists will open their doors to visitors this weekend giving them the chance to take a peek behind the scenes and see the artistic process in action.
As part of Staffordshire’s annual Enjoy Art season the free Open Studios Weekend will give visitors will have the chance to meet some of the town’s leading artists and watch them at work.
Sue Prince, Destination Staffordshire Ambassador for the arts said: “I am always overwhelmed by the quality of art created within Staffordshire.
“The county is full of a variety of artists working within a range of disciplines, and I am delighted Open Studios will once again allow artists to share their work and inspire the county’s visitors this September.”
Visitors to Steven Eastwood’s studio, located at 10 Woodleyes Crescent in Wildwood, will be able to view a collection of work by the disabled sculptor, who, at the age of 19 suffered and stroke and only uses one hand to create his work.
Mr Eastwood, who uses a wide variety of materials including stone, wood and resin to create busts and lifesize pieces and recently appeared on BBC2’s Show Me The Monet, will be displaying his work between 10:30am and 3:30pm on both days.
Stafford-based painter Mark Lippet, is known for his paintings of derelict buildings with most of his compositions featuring abandoned spaces that leave the viewer space to contemplate the work.
He will be opening the doors of his studio at 22 Chesham Road, in Stafford on both days between 9am and 5pm.
Eccleshall artists collective Gallery at 12, is a showcase for a group of artists and makers living or working in West Staffordshire with regularly changing displays of painting, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and sculpture.
The gallery, at Unit 2, 12 High Street, Eccleshall, will be open between 10am and 5pm for visitors.
Contemporary craft space, Unit Twelve in Tixall houses the work of five artists, Jennifer Collier, Emily Notman, Louise Wilson, Jo Hill and Lauren Crawford, and has a regularly changing programme of exhibitions and art workshops.
The gallery, at Tixall Heath Farm, Tixall, Stafford, will be open on both days from 10am until 4pm.
Also based in Tixall, painter Richard Bostock creates colourful lancscapes which explore the stirring relationship between colour and light within structured poetic compositions.
His studio at Tixall Lodge, in Tixall, Stafford, will be open from 10am until 4pm on both days.
Rugeley’s Carole Baker is known for her bold, eye-catching, lively and dynamic paintings inspired by work done on location.
Her Sunnyside Studio, at 61, Rugeley Road, Chase Terrace, will be open from 10am until 5pm on both days.
Stone-based Rita Banks, is a painter with a clear passion for light and colour who creates landscapes and bright floral images that often take a turn towards the abstract.
Her studio at Farthings, near Moddershall, Stone, will be open between 10.30am and 4.30pm on both days.
Rugeley-based Beth Paynter is an artist and craftsperson working mainly in illustration, wood and ceramic creating gifts and pieces for the home and garden all based on her love of animals.
Miss Paynter’s studio at 75 St Michaels Road, Brereton, Rugeley, will open the doors of her studio between 9am and 9pm on both days.
For further information on Enjoy Art or to see examples of the artists work and other upcoming events visit www.staffordshireenjoyart.com.
