Plan your visit to North-east Open Studios

BETTER THAN EVER

NEOS IS BACK! YES, NORTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS IS BACK AND THIS YEAR’S EVENT PROMISES TO BE BETTER THAN EVER.

After last year’s scaled down event, this year offers the chance to meet and buy from over 250 of the region’s most talented artists, craftspeople and makers.

North East Open Studios runs from September 11 to 19th. Individual venues have different opening times and there are so many artists and makers taking part that it’s best to get a copy of the NEOS guide, choose your must-sees and plan a route. The distinctive yellow book is available at libraries, galleries and shops and is a great resource throughout the year. You can also find out who’s taking part at northeastopenstudios.co.uk and confirm opening times before setting out. A download of the book, as well as maps and local trails, is also available from the site.

Some things are better done in person and buying art and design is definitely one of them. It’s so much easier to find pieces you love when you see them in real life and chat to the person who made them. Colours spring to life in paintings, illustrations, photography and stained glass works, the tactile qualities of textiles, ceramics, furniture, wood and sculptures need to be experienced and the intricate work that goes into the creation of jewellery, silversmithing or heritage crafts benefits from close examination.

North East Open Studios offers the chance to meet with every kind of artist, designer and maker based in the area, to explore their studios and

find out more about their work and how pieces are made. It’s a genuinely inspiring opportunity to discover more about the skills involved, as well as picking up a piece or two that you’ll love forever, or some fabulous gifts while supporting artists and makers from Macduff to Montrose, Aboyne to Aberdeen City.

Ceramicist Fiona Duckett, Chair of the voluntary team of artists and makers which organises NEOS each year, explained why this year’s NEOS is so important, commenting, ‘For many artists and makers, NEOS not only offers one of the main selling opportunities of the year, but also a rare chance to meet their audience, to find out more about what people want to own. Visiting a studio connects people to creativity. Demonstrations spark conversations which lead to new ideas for the artist and often inspire people to learn more about making for themselves. NEOS fosters collaborations between artists and makers as well as attracting tourists to Aberdeenshire and enabling local artists and craftspeople to make a living.’

Pick up a NEOS guide or visit the website and start planning your trip.

northeastopenstudios.co.uk