The top five collective art exhibitions (Cambridge Open Studios, Part 1)

Cambridge Open Studios, Part 1

Yesterday, I picked up my copy of the Cambridge Open Studios Guide from Cambridge Contemporary Art Gallery.

It's a lovely moment in the annual art calendar of Cambridge:  when you first open that tall yellow brochure, stare at the bewildering number of colourful dots on the maps (each denoting one Open Studio), and try and make sense of the gazillion participants' entries.

What is Cambridge Open Studios? 

"Over 260 artists in Cambridgeshire open their doors for 4 weekends in July.  Weekend 1:  July 6-7.  Weekend 2:  July 13-14.  Weekend 3:  July 20-21.  Weekend 4:  July 27-28.  11am-6pm."  (from the Open Studios Guide)

For those of us with limited time, how can we make the most of these weekends? Prepare in advance by reading my peek-aheads over the next few weeks.

If you want to see the most art in the shortest time:

For the most 'bang for your buck', visit collective studios or exhibitions.  They're marked with a red dot on the map; this means:  "More than one artist at the same location."  

The top five collective studios

1a)  CB5:  Cambridge Museum of Technology

The Old Pumping Station, Cheddars Lane, down by the river, CB5 8LD.

Weeks 2 and 3, 13-14 and 20-21 July

Here you'll see 8 artists,  including :

© Katie Bailey
(Soul Meets Soul)

© Sheena Davies
(The Swimmer, Jesus Green)

© Carl West
(Flash Break)

© Joe Dean
(Stairwell)

1b)  CB5:  The Woodyard @ Peter Harrison Furniture (next door to the Cambridge Museum of Technology)

38 Cheddars Lane, CB5 8LD.

Weeks 2 and 3, 13-14 and 20-21 July

Workshop panorama
© photo Peter Harrison
(source of image)

Here you'll see 3 more artists and woodworkers, including:

© Colin Wiles
(Still Life with Lighthouse)

2)  CB1:  St Barnabas Press

The Belfast Yard, Coldhams Road, CB1 3EW.  (Off Coldhams Lane, near the Beehive Centre.)

Weeks 1, 2 and 4, 6-7, 13-14 and 27-28 July

Here you'll see more than 10 painters, illustrators and printmakers, including:

© Noriko Sasaki
(Quick Poses x 3)

© Mark Rigby
Tutor of Cambridge Life Lines, a group of artists who will exhibit at the Press
(Fallow Deer in Glade)

3)  CB4:  Cambridge Artworks

5 Green's Rd, CB4 3EF.  (Off Victoria Rd, near Mitcham's Corner.)  

Bonus:  The ArtSpace Café will be open.

Weeks 2 and 3, 13-14 and 20-21 July

Here you'll see 11 artists, including:  

©  Alison Litherland
(He Looks Tasty)

For more cow paintings, read my blog post on Alison Litherland.

©  Esther Melamed
(Perseverance)

© Judy Logan
(I Came from the Sea)

4)  CB1:  Cambridge Art Salon

29 Cromwell Rd, CB1 3EB.  (Between Mill Rd and Coldhams Lane, near Wardrobe, the fancy dress shop)

Weeks 1, 2 3 and 4, 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 July

Here you'll see 5 artists, including:

©  Diana Probst
(Still Life with Bottles)

5)  CB23:  Burwash Manor

New Road, Barton, CB23 7EY.  (Off Barton Rd / Cambridge Rd.)

Weeks 1, 2 3 and 4, 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 July


Here you'll see 14 artists, illustrators, crafters and woodturners over 4 weekends, and at least 7 every weekend, including:

©  Sue Rapley
(River through the Meadow)

© Sheila Reddy
(Lemons from the Grove)

Coming up on this blog:

More look-aheads to individual artists

What to see in different postcode areas

Five questions about Cambridge Open Studios

Ten reasons to visit Cambridge Open Studios

And don't worry: also other posts that are not the Open Studios... :-)

What to see north of the river

Further info:

Pick up the free yellow Guide at any Cambridgeshire art gallery, museum, library, many cafés and shops.  Or:  Download the Guide.

Cambridge Open Studios website

Map of studios

And for a great work of art that's still on view now:

See my blog post on Rebecca O'Hanlon's magical photograph.

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