Tag: north yorkshire open studios

Artists from around Whitby open their studios this weekend giving a rare insight into their work.

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan
Lacey Brown works from her garden studio and workshop in Whitby, she enjoys creating art from natural materials such as wool and wood and also creates pet portraits. Picture: Ceri Oakes

North Yorkshire Open Studios is an annual event, held across two weekends in June, with 18 artists based in Whitby, along the coast and in the country villages taking part.

Amy Smith ‘The Little Whitby Potter’ is a potter sharing an open studio in Whitby with Lacey Brown Picture: Ceri Oakes

Genres range from ceramics, to painting, print-making, glass, jewellery and sculpture.

NYOS has been taking place since 2005 and has become a favourite on the calendar for the region’s art fans as it offers a behind the scenes look and a chance to chat directly to artists about their work.

It continues this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 5pm.

Kit Helmsley is a ceramicist living in Runswick Bay taking part in the North Yorkshire Open Studios. Picture: Ceri Oakes

Artists from Whitby and the surrounding areas taking part are: Ceramicists, Aphra O’Connor and Numi Solomons of Sleights; Kit Hemsley, ceramicist at Runswick Bay; Ian Burke, painter and printmaker at Lealholm; Magick & Wilds textiles and mixed media, Hutton Mulgrave; Emma Evett, glassworker from Newholm; Amy Smith, ceramicist in Whitby; Textile artist, Lacey Brown of Whitby; Louise Garrett, painter, Goathland; Grosmont based painter and printmaker, Maria Bennett; Paintings and drawings by Anne Thornhill at Aislaby; Paul Blackwell, painter at Aislaby; Stained glass artist, Janet Fraser of Sleights; Ailsa Nicholson, fused glass work at Sleights; Jean Cunion, Ugglebarnby ceramicist; Art by Ester, a Sneaton based painter; Sue Wilmington, applied art and design, near Sneaton; Anj Bone, painter at Stainsacre.

Janet Fraser lives in Sleights. She loves creating modern bespoke windows and designing garden pieces. She runs workshops from her garden studio. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Kit Helmsley creates work deeply rooted in the coastline’s timeless beauty and its ever-changing forms. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Amy Smith ‘The Little Whitby Potter’ is a potter inspired by the Whitby coastline and moorland. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Aphra O'Connor at her garden studio in Sleights.
Aphra O’Connor at her garden studio in Sleights. Picture: Ceri Oakes

Artists from Whitby’s coast and countryside open studio doors to the public

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

More than a dozen artists from Whitby, the moors and the coastline will open their studio doors to art fans giving them behind the scenes access.

The annual event, North Yorkshire Open Studios (NYOS) returns next month over two weekends with 18 artists taking part.

Their genres range from ceramics, to painting, print-making, glass, jewellery and sculpture, and art fans will be given a rare glimpse of where and how they work.

An example of ceramic work by Aphra O’Connor. Picture: Ceri Oakes.

NYOS began back in 2005 and has developed into one of the most anticipated diary dates in Yorkshire’s cultural calendar.

Each year sees new artists added to the line-up alongside art fan favourites who have been involved for many years.

Ceramicist, Aphra O’Connor first took part in 2024 and will exhibit again this year, alongside her mother Numi Solomons in their garden studio.

Numi Solomons will be taking part in the North Yorkshire Open Studios event next month. Picture: Ceri Oakes.

She said: “I like working by myself, and it is nice to work with Numi, but NYOS is a chance to have a conversation with people who come to the studio, because they come specifically to see your work.”

Numi is also a ceramic artists, and while they do have differing styles, keen observers may spot similarities.

Aphra O’Connor at work in the garden studio she shares with her mother and fellow artist Numi. Picture: Ceri Oakes.

Aphra joked: “Sometimes I use similar shapes but then I think she might have been doing them for years and I have been copying.”

NYOS takes place on June 6 and 7 and June 13 and 14, between 10am and 5pm.

Artists from Whitby and the surrounding areas are:

Ceramicists, Aphra O’Connor and Numi Solomons of Sleights; Kit Hemsley, ceramicist at Runswick Bay; Ian Burke, painter and printmaker at Lealholm; Magick & Wilds textiles and mixed media, Hutton Mulgrave; Emma Evett, glassworker from Newholm; Amy Smith, ceramicist in Whitby; Textile artist, Lacey Brown of Whitby; Louise Garrett, painter, Goathland; Grosmont based painter and printmaker, Maria Bennett; Paintings and drawings by Anne Thornhill at Aislaby; Paul Blackwell, painter at Aislaby; Stained glass artist, Janet Fraser of Sleights; Ailsa Nicholson, fused glass work at Sleights; Jean Cunion, Ugglebarnby ceramicist; Art by Ester, a Sneaton based painter; Sue Wilmington, applied art and design, near Sneaton; Anj Bone, painter at Stainsacre.

Whitby Anchor