Kentish Express - 11 June 2004 - Studios Open Up Along Art Route

Public appreciation of all forms of art is being encouraged, as studios across the county become education workshops for two weeks from this Friday.

Now in its eighth year, South East Open Studios is even bigger than ever with more than 240 artists taking part in Kent and East Sussex.

This year, 10 artists taking part in the Ashford area have teamed up to produce a route map of their studios so that visitors can enjoy a day out.

They helpfully indicate that there are a number of good pubs and restaurants en route or, alternatively, visitors could bring a picnic and enjoy the countryside.

The route starts in Mersham at the studio of Olga Van Dijke and Mary Sampson at Delft Lodge, Bower Road, between 11am and 6pm over this weekend and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the next two.

Then it moves to the six artists in Brabourne Lees and Smeeth spanning three studios.

They are: Angus Zapora at Acorn House, The Ridgeway (10am to 5pm from June 12 to 27; Vi Sprawling at 19 The Lees Close (11am to 6pm June 12/13, 19/20 and 26/27), and Sue Chapman, Liz Garnett and Katrina and John Devenport at 39 Prospect Way (10am to 5pm on June 12/13, 19/20 and 26/27).

Next stop is over the Downs to Bodsham and the studio of Paul Crudge and Carol Fulton at The Workshop, opposite the Timberbats pub (10am to 5pm on June 12/13, 19/20 and 26/27).

Liz Garnett said: "The idea of the route map started when a number of us opened our studios last year and it proved to be a great success.  This year we have new artists and a new studio taking part in Mersham.

"We now have painters (Sue, Angus and Vi), textile artists (Olga and me), photographers (Carol, Mary, John and Katrina) and a furniture designer (Paul).  We all have very different artistic styles - even the photographers - so there should be something for everyone."

In Smarden at Hegg Hill Oast, Vikky and Chris Furse, and Rib Bloomfield will be joined by Mandy Munroe showing their work until June 17.

This year they will be joined by French artists from the Nord Pas de Calais region in a cross-channel initiative.

The whole artist-led event is an ideal opportunity for people to view art where it is created, talk to artists and craftsmen about their work, find out about the commissioning process and buy work.

There is no pressure to buy and many visitors feel it is important to go away and think about a piece before actually making a decision.  Small items are also for sale and visiting a number of studios makes a great day out.