Norfolk's artists open studios

Vik Ellis prepares her work for the open studios scheme

The Norfolk Open Studios project unlocks its doors in 2009 to showcase the county's thriving artistic talent.

The largest annual art event of its kind in Norfolk, the scheme allows the public to visit artists from a range of genres at their workplace.

"As a full-time professional artist, Norfolk Open Studios is an important date on my calendar," said Vik Ellis, an artist from Norwich.

The open studios scheme runs from Saturday, 16 to Sunday, 31 May, 2009.

During the 2008 event, the 254 artists taking part in the scheme welcomed almost 27,000 visitors to their studios.

It makes the Norfolk Open Studios project one of the biggest in the country and leads to a great deal of investment. In 2008, £224,000 of work was sold.

Networking opportunity

For many artists, Norfolk Open Studios is an opportunity to get their names and work into the public arena.

It allows them to share their passion with the people of Norfolk and the event brings many new visitors to the county.

"It is by far the best way of reaching local art buyers and interested people - not just through visits to my studio, but also via broader events such as the taster exhibition," said Vik.

The open studios project is not just about selling art, but also networking for the future.

"The studios are the one opportunity for me to get lots of feedback from the people who buy my work," said Trevor Woods, a contemporary artist from Briston, north Norfolk.

Trevor Woods believes in networking is vital

"Their feedback not only reassures me that I am heading in the right direction, but can also inspire me throughout the year. It's about so much more than just selling my work - it's an opportunity to network.

"In Briston, there is a group of artists who get together to create an open studios trail each year.

"It has greatly increased the number of visitors who come during Open Studios and we also find it's a good way to engage with the local community, who sometimes don't have any idea about what we do."

Visual arts programme

Norfolk Open Studios 2009 marks the 15th year of the project.

It forms a core part of the annual Norfolk & Norwich Festival's visual arts programme which has expanded to include a range of large-scale, outdoor and site specific events that encompass circus, physical/visual theatre and dance.

Norfolk Open Studios is fundamental to the festival's overall success.

"The success of Norfolk Open Studios in 2008 was that it brought in more people than ever before into contact with visual arts right across the county," said Jonathan Holloway, artistic director for the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

"Norfolk Open Studios embodies so much of what is fundamental to us.

"It's about engaging people's senses and emotions in a manner that challenges and surprises and it's about the potential to uncover new work in unexpected and sometimes daring ways," he added.

Norfolk Open Studios 2009 runs from Saturday, 16 to Sunday, 31 May, 2009.