Artists throw open their studio doors

Artists in Southwell will open their studios to members of the public as part of an event to make art more accessible.

A total of 14 artists who live or work in Southwell will take part next weekend.

One of the artists, Maggy Milner of Westhorpe, Southwell, said the event allowed the public to inspect art they might not normally see.

She said: “When we talk about our studios most of us use rooms in our houses.

“People get to follow a lovely trail round Southwell. They can come in to our homes and look at work which might not have been in a more formal gallery setting.

“People might see work on the wall they can buy, books to see how people work, their working dynamics and their ideas. They can also talk to the artists while they browse through their work.”

Maggy Milner is a photographer and examples of her pictures and videos and folders containing her past work will be on display.

Other artists taking part in the event include botanical painter Mrs Marianne McPhie of Westgate, Southwell, Mrs Jackie Berridge of Halloughton Road, Southwell, who paints pictures representing the darker side of childhood and abstract artist Mr David Willetts of Westhorpe, Southwell.

Mr Derek Sprawson will display examples of Indian ink drawings at Southwell Artspace. The venue’s resident artists will also open the studios.

Deborah Sweeney of Westhorpe, Southwell, who runs an art school from her home, will also open her studio.

She said: “People can come and see a variety of paintings which are going to be new ones that no one has seen before.

“There are paintings I’ve done of my garden, a still life picture of the minster and some snowscapes.

“There’s so much art and creativity going on in Southwell and it’s important to make it open for people so it’s not going on behind closed doors.”

The studios will be open on October 18 and 19 from 10am to 5pm. Money raised will go to Sightsavers, a charity that tackles blindness in developing countries.