Artists will be plying their wares in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley this weekend for the traditional Ouseburn Open Studios.
This is the 22nd year of the event – now as sure a sign of Christmas approaching as the switch-on of the lights and the panto posters outside the theatres.
It’s a chance to snaffle a distinctive Christmas present and perhaps, if you’re tempted to splash out, a future family heirloom.
Pots, paintings, prints, furniture and all manner of artistic creations will be available to view and to buy and most of it will have been made locally.
The art trail through the Ouseburn Valley has always been key to Newcastle’s credentials as a cultural city.
Eight galleries and studio complexes are taking part this time and there’s a new kid on the block – Kiln Workshop and Kitchen at 4 Hume Street.
This year the event has been coordinated by Rachel Brown, general manager of The Biscuit Factory, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary.
“This year’s event is full of vibrancy,” she says.
“As well as visitors being able to go behind the scenes, there are so many opportunities this year for them to also get involved.
“Open Studios is such a great showcase of the cultural variety we have here in the Ouseburn.
“It’s a literal open door and informal introduction for many into the working practices of artists and makers and an opportunity to pick up something handmade or design-led directly from the artist’s studio or from an independent gallery.
“At its core, Open Studios is a community arts festival that celebrates home-grown creative enterprise and warmly welcomes all to come by and support their local artists.”
In simple numbers, it’s more than 200 artists in eight locations offering buyers thousands of different lines of artistic stock.
“I’m really pushing the idea of ‘buy local, shop independent’, says Rachel.
Ouseburn Open Studios takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with 36 Lime Street (5-8pm) and Mushroom Works (6-8pm) also opening for a free public preview on Friday.
Over the weekend, if you follow the trail from North to South, these are the places you will encounter on the way.
1. Biscuit Tin Studios, Warwick Street, NE2 1BB.
Studio artists have contributed to a Life Class exhibition, featuring drawings, prints and paintings of the human figure.
Have a glass of wine and try your hand at drawing the figure yourself, they offer.
2. The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, NE2 1AN.
It is 15 years since the Biscuit Factory opened, at about the same time as BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
Ramy and Marilyn Zack had a vision of this former 19th Century biscuit factory becoming a showcase for art from the North East and further afield.
It has also spawned other biscuit-related enterprises in the vicinity.
While its winter exhibition has just opened (with wildlife artist Hazel Mountford given pride of place), the focus this weekend will be on its new contemporary craft space.
3. Cobalt Studios, 10-16 Boyd Street, NE2 1AP.
Always a hive of activity, Cobalt Studios (just along the road from the cafe called Ernest) is a performance venue and artists’ studio complex.
It has been evolving for many years and this is a chance to explore.
Proper coffee, homemade food, a bar, silent films and art workshops are promised. There will also be prints for sale.
4. Northern Print, Stepney Bank, NE1 2NP.
The printmaking workshop and gallery has an exhibition of wall-mounted work by Bridget Jones, best known for her creations in glass but who also uses printing techniques.
On sale will be a range of arty items which should make perfect stocking fillers.
The printing presses will be in action and you can have a go at printing some wrapping paper.
5. 36 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ.
This was where the emergence of the Ouseburn Valley as a cultural quarter began in the 1980s when the Victorian warehouse was turned into artists’ studios.
More than 40 creative folk are now based here and many will be contributing to an exhibition called Drawn Out, featuring views from the building.
Visitors will also be encouraged to contribute to Drawn In by having a go at drawing.
Both exhibitions are part of a survey of drawing as an artform. Find out more at www.drawingne.org.uk .
Meanwhile landscape painter Emma Holliday promises new work, mulled wine and mince pies while Lee Turner’s Hole Editions offers a live editioning of a new print, Pink Footed, by Natalie Reid (£25 buys you a print).
6. Jim Edwards Studio Gallery, 59 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ.
The artist famous for his colourful and quirky views of Tyneside has a new exhibition called You Are Here in which he explores the idea of wayfinding.
Anyone who buys anything gains entry into a raffle to win a limited edition print.
7. Kiln Ouseburn, 4 Hume Street, NE6 1LN.
This is a Mediterranean bar and kitchen (big pots of stew and homemade pickles look tempting) with a ceramics workshop, 1265 Degrees North, next door.
All the crockery is made on site by Jun Rhee, a ceramic artist from South Korea who is now studio manager.
It’s a place where you can eat, watch pots and plates being made and then buy them – and this weekend there will be a chance to make a clay monster.
8. Mushroom Works, St Lawrence Road, NE6 1AR.
Studio artists will be present over the weekend with an array of items for sale.
Look out for furniture, paintings, textile and leather products, jewellery, prints, illustrations and more.
A venue specialiality is the 20x20 exhibition of work measuring no more than 20cms by 20cms and all for sale at £20.
Refreshments and a treasure hunt are added attractions.
* For details of all the Ouseburn Open Studios venues go to www.openouseburnstudios.org .
