Kentish Express - 17 June 2004 - Studios Open to Art Lovers

Artists from Ashford, Smarden, Tenterden, Folkestone, Hythe and Mersham are throwing open their studios to let the public see and, in some cases, buy their work.

The Kentish Express previews some of the East Kent artists who are taking part...

More than 270 artists across Kent and East Sussex are opening their studios to the public in June.

And a large number of them are within easy travelling distance of Ashford, Folkestone, Tenterden and Hythe.

Ten Ashford participants have got together to produce a route map, allowing visitors to find them easily.

The route starts in Mersham at the studio of Olga Van Dijke and Mary Sampson at Delft Lodge, Bower Road, which is open June 18-20 and June 25-27, from 11am until 6pm.

The route then leads to six further artists in Brabourne Lees and Smeeth spanning three studios.

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

Then it's on to the studio of Paul Crudge and Carol Fulton at the Workshop in Bodsham, opposite The Timberbats pub (open June 19-20 and 26-27, 10am to 5pm).

Artist 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, textile artists, photographers and a furniture designer.

"We all have very different artistic styles, even the photographers so there should be something for everyone."

A free guide book to the Open Studios exhibition is available in libraries and tourist offices.  It is also on the website at www.southeastopenstudios.org.uk

The route map is available from participating artists or from Liz Garnett, call her on xxxxx.