Popular TV presenter, comedian and painter, Joe Lycett is the Birmingham Open Studios new Ambassador for 2023.
Birmingham Open Studios takes place on consecutive weekends of 23rd-24th September and Sept 30th-1st October, 11am-5pm each day. It is a free, family-friendly experience and a great way to discover art you never knew was on your doorstep. You can see the work they make, watch live demonstrations, get a glimpse at their work spaces, ask them questions and hopefully bag yourself a beautiful piece of art.
Birmingham Open Studios allows artists of all experience to participate equally, and showcase their creations from the very place their work was created. They can be part-time creators, at the start of their creative career, or seasoned professionals.
The event, now in its 7th year, has a record number of artists participating in 2023. With 169 artists and crafters showing their work, the event now also covers more of the city than ever before.
The event provides huge cultural benefits to the City of Birmingham. It encourages creativity, artistic growth, local trade and community cohesion. The event has grown steadily in terms of artist participation, visitor numbers and geographical location spread since the first event back in 2017.
Visitors can experience the event by either picking up a free guidebook from various locations across the city, or by viewing the full list of artists on our website: birminghamopenstudios.co.uk
Thousands of visitors are expected over the 2 weekends across all 62 participating venues.
There is no need to book, and there is no set order to visit the artists. Visitors can either aim to visit them all, make their own arts trail from the map or target their most local participants.
Some artists will be demonstrating their crafts, offering workshops, or refreshments, and each artist’s home or studio is unique. Venues also include community centres, cafes and galleries, so there’s plenty to see and enjoy.
Quote from AmbassadorJoe Lycett: “I’ve long said that Birmingham’s art scene is one of the most exciting and unique in the country. I’m biased, of course, but I truly think there’s an approach that seems underground, rebellious, inclusive, funny and ultimately unfazed by the rules of the traditional art world.
Birmingham Open Studios is a very cool and inspiring opportunity to see that art where it’s made – in kitchens, living rooms, garden sheds and beyond – that proves that anyone can and should make art.”