Open for Art Event 2023
Dates to be confirmed
Welcome to Open for Art
Open for Art was designed so that visual artists in the South Dorset region had the opportunity to showcase their work in an open studio setting in alternate years to Dorset Art Weeks (DAW). As DAW 2020 was cancelled due to restrictions caused by Covid-19, the organisers have taken the decision to run DAW in 2021 instead. Most recent news is that DAW have decided to run in 2022 as well. As we wish to support DAW and not run a similar event in tandem, we will therefore not run Open for Art in 2022
Happily, news about Covid 19 seems more positive but with so much uncertainty about and as 2023 seems a long way off yet we have decided to wait before going ahead with any firm plans including dates for Open for Art 2023
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As always, we would value any volunteers to help with running Open for Art. Let us know via the contact page.
Read what happened in Open for Art 19
We are delighted to welcome you to our art trail featuring a talented and exciting array of our local Dorset artists, with 70 venues and over 200 artists taking part from internationally renowned professional artists through to newcomers and children’s prize-winners.
From sculptors, potters and jewellery makers through to painters, fabric artists and illustrators, there is a huge variety of work to enjoy.
Some venues are art galleries, some cafes and some are historic buildings hosting artists’ work for the 2 weeks. We have group shows and artists’ studios who are opening specially for visitors to meet and see the processes of creating art. Many can be contacted all year round for personal viewings or commissions so do keep your brochures for further reference.
Our trail takes you from Abbotsbury in the West through Poundbury, Dorchester and further East as far as Puddletown, swooping down back towards the sea and Weymouth & Portland. An exciting journey awaits through the best of Dorset countryside and seashore with sweeping views around each corner.
Please look out for our colourful brochures from local cafes and community hubs or you can follow the Open for Art trail using our on-line brochure with interactive maps to discover more about the artists at each venue and make it easier to find.
We hope you will enjoy the journey and the art and the experience of meeting the artists living and working in our midst.
Keep up-to-date!
Latest News
Prize Draw Winner of Open for Art 19 picks up Painting of his choice
Winner of the Open for Art OFA 2019 prize draw Peter Feltham picked up the photo-encaustic painting which was commissioned from Lyn Kirkland during Open For Art. His partner Bobbi, who was the lucky winner, was unable to come along today but wished the £100 voucher to pay for the balance against the painting.
Closing Party
It was great to meet so many of you who had taken part in Open for Art 19 at our closing Garden Party. Weather was ok, food company and views from venue superb and the winner of the Open for Art prize draw was picked out of all the collected entries. The winner was Bobby […]
Prince Charles visits Poundbury and Open for Art
Great day yesterday for Open for Art. Prince Charles spent a few minutes, after lunch, talking to Olivia, Carol and Carla Taylor about Open for Art. He then led his visitors, Commonwealth ambassadors, around Poundbury. He called in to venue 17, Judy Tates home where 4 artists are displaying their work. He then spent some […]
Prince Charles to visit Open for Art Duchy Farmhouse Exhibition
A water colour painting by Prince Charles entitled, “Caithness” was loaned for display at the Open for Art Duchy Poundbury Farmhouse, venue 10, following a letter requested a submission from HRH by Poundbury resident and painter, Judy Tate. We are all so excited that Prince Charles is a contributing artist during Open for Art. It […]