Northants Open Studios returns as artists reveal secrets of painting, pottery, printing and imagery

A popular Northamptonshire-wide visual arts festival will return to the creative calendar as more than 60 artists display their work, 26 of which open their workspaces to visitors.

In September, artists from across the county will be opening studios so guests can step into a pottery studio, discuss diamonds with a jewelry designer, or see demonstrations of painting, printmaking, and traditional handicrafts in a relaxed setting.

The guests get a glimpse behind the scenes of the creative work rooms of potters, painters, sculptors, jewelers, printmakers, furniture manufacturers and fabric designers.

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Kettering potter Louise Crookenden-Johnson will open her studio to the public this month

Jeyes of Earls Barton will open the festival with a launch party on September 4th from 3pm and will end with an awards ceremony at JGallery in Moulton to celebrate the achievements of the artists and supporters.

Katie Boyce, Director of Northants Open Studios, said, “Life is slowly returning to normal and we have a large number of artists from all disciplines desperate to showcase their work to the local community across the county.

“I hope everyone will see the benefit of supporting the event and reaching an audience of exhibiting creatives and visitors of all ages, from aspiring artists to retired collectors. We have such a diverse and talented group of artists spread across Northamptonshire a better way to celebrate them all than having a month long event to support and promote their work ”.

“This year we are very fortunate to have the support of two venues that will host our artists at Northants Open Studios, each of our key exhibitions.”

Lisa Timmerman in Foxton near Market Harborough

A number of exhibitions of paintings, photographs, prints, pottery and handicrafts will be on display, with many artists also showing off their work as individuals or groups in galleries across the county.

The Kettering potter Louise Crookenden-Johnson takes part in the open studios and exhibits her work.

It not only opens by appointment, but will open on Sunday, April 26th.

She said, “It’s incredibly exciting to invite people back to the pottery.

Sorrell Kinley in his studio – runs a lino printing workshop

“Open Studios is the perfect opportunity for people to network with local artists and artisans. I have noticed a real interest in supporting independent doers and creators since Covid and this gives people the opportunity to shop locally as well.

“People are welcome to contact them in September and take a look at the pottery, but I will be open to the public on Sunday, September 26th, where I will give people the opportunity to play with clay.”

On the first weekend of the Open Studios (September 4th and 5th), a house on the former secret air force base of World War II – next to the Thor nuclear missile site from the 1950s – will be opened to guests.

Four Northamptonshire artists will explore the “importance of time and space” at Foxhall House near Harrington, once a site of war and conflict, now a sleepy farm for agriculture.

Wellingborough artist Charles Bezzina paints in his studio

Gina Glover, who lives in Foxhall, will showcase her sculpture, which consists of the past life of the air base and the current life as a farm.

In addition to her cameraless photography, she explores the overlapping of past and present and, through her experimentation, questions the material found in order to create a new landscape of emotional connectedness. www.ginaglover.com

The artist Graham Keddie, who lives in Kettering, shows films with sculptures that reflect the historical significance of this secret place. With new works made “over and over and over again” for this exhibition, he examines place, narrative, tethering and time.

Rosalind Stoddart from Brigstock uses fleece from her alpacas. “From the field to the studio” she explores color saturation, texture, surface and the fusion of materials in order to achieve magnificent results. www.reggieandtheboys.co.uk

Susan Williams from Kettering will be exploring Foxhall’s lawns. Their minimal interventions affect their surroundings and energize the material and the space. Illusions of floating and transience conjure up the magical and metaphysical: the multi-layered works are transformed into a meditation of time and place. www.susanwilliamsart.com

Foxhall House is located on Lamport Road (B576) between Harrington and Lamport, 500 meters from the Carpetbaggers Air Force Base War Memorial. Enter the postcode NN6 9JL into your navigation device and it will take you straight to the entrance. Parking spaces and wheelchair access are available, but not suitable for children under 10 years of age. Please bring face masks with you in the buildings.

Rothwell woodworker Fiona Kingdon demonstrates her intricate cutting techniques in her studio

Jeyes of Earls Barton will open the festival on September 4th from 3pm with a launch party where visitors will see a wide range of works by the participating artists.

Hopefully the exhibit will encourage them to travel around the county to visit studio spaces and exhibits.

At the end of the festival, the prizes will be awarded at a ceremony in the JGallery in Moulton, a second central exhibition venue.

The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of all artists and recognize supporters.

From September 4th to 25th, central exhibitions will be held at Jeyes of Earls Barton and the J Gallery, supported by the Kettering & District Art Society.