13th to 28th September, 2008

Open Studios Event is about drawing the open studios event back to its roots, focusing on individual artists in their working environment. It focuses on artists as individuals, how they make their work, their inspiration and creative processes. It aims to support artists who want to work professionally and promote their creative business.

Open Studios Event 2008 took place from 13th to 28th September. More than 400 artists took part across more than 200 venues. We recorded more than 40,000 visitors.  

Documentation & Images
Many thanks to all those who have visited and taken part in Art Weeks 08. To view images provided by participants, please CLICK HERE

Feedback from Visitors
"I visited about 14 studios and thought the standard of art on display far exceeded previous years."

"The opportunity to meet and talk to artists in their studios and learn so much about what they do is one of the best parts of Art Weeks.  Looking at an exhibition gives you only one dimension of the creativity involved."

"It was really interesting. There were several artists exhibiting in the local area so it was easy to get around to them. A great idea, I hope it's as good next year."

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit artists in their own workshops and especially the chance to take part in the felt workshop held by Liz Clay.  I hope this continues as it is good to see the number of artists in this area."

"I think that this is a wonderful event and must continue. This will be my second weekend visiting artists and enjoying meeting them in their places of work."

Feedback from Participant Artists

'Extremely enjoyable. Huge diversity of visitors. Many of whom were very enquiring.'

'It was very enjoyable as we had such a positive response to our work. People have high expectations especially those who take SAW seriously.'

'I was very pleased with the Art Weeks this year. Splitting the Art Weeks into 'Open Studios' and 'Exhibition' was a very good idea. Slightly fewer visitors this time, but many more serious buyers.'

'Somerset Art Weeks are a wonderful celebration of the arts. The visitors all seemed to enjoy themselves and we had a lot of interesting conversations and made a lots of contacts.'

'A worthwhile event for both county and artists.'

'Art Weeks was very successful for me this year. A large painting that I worked on throughout the 16 days was a good talking point and I demonstrated my techniques etc. and sold it!'

' It was a most enjoyable experience. The number of visitors I had enable me to have worthwhile conversations about my work. I was also able to make several pieces of work and demonstrate and explain my methods. Financially it was very successful.

Art Weeks 08 Analysis of Participant Feedback Forms

Data from the Participants' Venue Feedback Forms has been collected and analysed.  Visitor numbers, sales etc have been collated and can be viewed by Somerset District or across the event as a whole.  Click Here to Download Analysis of Participant Feedback Forms.

Art Weeks 08 Publicity

We collected press cutting about Art Weeks 08, the following list show you Art Weeks 08 has been featured and listed:

a-n Magazine
The Spark
Folio
Muse
What’s on Somerset
Somerset Life
Exmoor Life
The Word
Western Gazette
Western Daily Press
Metro
Sunday Mirror
Limited Edition
Easier Travel www.easier.com
The Lady Magazine
Fosse Way Magazine
Guardian Unlimited
The Times
Evolver
Visitor
Western Daily Press
The Best of Bridgwater www.thebestof.co.uk
Black Dog of Wells www.blackdogofwells.com
Yeovil Express www.yeovilexpress.co.uk
This is Somerset www.thisissomerset.co.uk
Helpful Holidays www.helpfulholidays.com
West Country Gallery www.westcountrygalleries.co.uk
Chard & Ilminster News
Weston & Somerset Murcury
Burnham-on-sea.com
This is (Bristol) www.bristol.co.uk
Evening Post www.in2town.co.uk

We advertise in the following magazines and publications:

South Somerset Food Festival Guide
a-n Magazine
The Spark
Folio
Muse
What’s on Somerset
The Word
Evolver