It is probably not a big surprise to learn that another major event in the annual arts calendar has had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus, COVID-19. This time it is the popular Hampshire Open Studios event.
This year was to have been a bumper year, with a record number of artists and artist groups opening their homes, studios and other venues to the public across Hampshire in August.
The organisers have had to weigh up whether many venues could open to visitors safely, given the current restrictions on keeping people at a safe distance from one another. Unfortunately, the answer was ‘no’, so the event has been shelved.
As Hampshire Open Studios is a major earner in the calendar for many artists, craftspeople and designers, its cancellation is a disappointment to them and, I am sure, all members of the public who enjoy visiting, chatting to the makers, and buying unique artworks each year. However, of course everyone understands that people’s health is paramount and the decision is the right one.
Hopefully in August 2021 Hampshire Open Studios will return bigger and better than ever and visitors will once again be able to plan a trail to visit a wide range of artists and craftspeople in venues across the county.
The Wessex Guild members are enthusiastic participants each year and we hope to return to our regular venue – The Paterson Centre in Swanmore – with lots of new work to show and sell. We shall publish details of next year’s event here once the dates are confirmed.
In the meantime, please browse through the member profiles and Meet the Maker blogs and get in touch if you see something you would like to buy or commission directly. Thank you for supporting artists and craftspeople to keep creating.
