Worcestershire Open Studios is a year-round, not-for-profit membership organisation supporting artists and makers across the county. Our aims are to:
- Champion creativity and showcase the breadth of artistic talent in Worcestershire
- Create opportunities for artists and makers to share their work, processes, and stories directly with the public
- Inspire, connect, and engage our communities through art
Our flagship event, Worcestershire Open Studios Art Week, takes place every August and is the county’s largest free art event. It offers visitors a unique chance to step inside studios, homes, and creative spaces, meet artists and makers face-to-face, and discover the stories behind their work. It is also a great chance to purchase beautiful work direct from the person who created it.
In August 2025, our tenth anniversary year, 167 artists and makers opened their doors at 105 venues across Worcestershire. Over the ten-day event, around 15,000–18,000 studio visits were made, up 32% on 2023. Visitors described the experience as “inspiring,” “welcoming,” and “friendly.” Almost half were attending for the first time, and 99.7% said they would recommend the event to friends and family.
Art Week also delivers real benefits for artists and makers: participants in 2025 reported a 50% increase in artwork sales compared to 2023, as well as new commissions, more workshop bookings, and stronger community connections. Collectively, they also raised around £5,000 for local charities.
Beyond Art Week, we run the permanent Worcestershire Artists & Makers Directory, an online gallery showcasing members’ work year-round. Members benefit from opportunities to take part in workshops, exhibitions, and events, as well as discounts from local art suppliers and framers. Why not take a look at the Events and Exhibitions section, or the Workshops and Courses page, to see what our members are up to?
The organisation was founded in 2015 by Sally Morgan and Richard Nicholls, later joined by Gillian Simpson. Since 2024, Worcestershire Open Studios has been run by a new team of volunteer artists. Their work, covering event management, communications, design, website, and member support, is made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the subscriptions paid by our members.
We invite you to explore our online directory, join one of our events, and take part in celebrating the incredible creativity Worcestershire has to offer.
To keep up-to-date with what’s happening please sign up to our email news updates and follow us on social media.
Gemma, Mary and Anna
