‘Open For Art’ is the new signature open studio Art event for South Dorset in May 2017. Featuring more than 80 artists in over 40 venues across the area, the event has been organised voluntarily by members of the not for profit arts organisation Artwey and has been financially supported by Weymouth BID.
The Open For Art launch event took place at the Old Town Hall in Weymouth on Friday 19th May at 6.30pm. Over 100 people attended the launch including three Mayors, the new Mayor of Weymouth & Portland Kevin Brookes, Mayor of Portland Cllr David Thurston and Mayor of Dorchester,Cllr Tim Harries plus sponsors Artwey CIC, Weymouth BID Ltd and Domvs.
Over 80 artists will be exhibiting in more than 40 venues encompassing not only permanent studios and gallery spaces but special events in offices, cafes and historic buildings. A number of artists have also opened up their homes, many of whom can be contacted all year round for personal viewings, so keep this guide for further reference.
Open For Art has been primarily organised by Carol Cruickshank and Olivia Nurrish both of whom are artists with the Artwey group. The speeches commenced by recognising the beauty and history that Weymouth has to offer and how lucky the artists were to live and work in such cultural and historic surroundings.
Prizes were given out to young artists who had been recognised by the group as budding artists. Carol thanked everyone for their support including the army of volunteers who have distributed over 20,000 Open for Art brochures across the South of Dorset.
The new Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Cllr Kevin Brookes officially opened the exhibition and announced to the audience that this was his first official engagement as Mayor of Weymouth and Portland and was very supportive of all art and culture in the borough and south Dorset.
Nigel Reed, Manager of Weymouth Bid and one of the sponsors said “We are pleased to be supporting this promotion of local Artists through the Open for Art Event. We have helped ArtWey with their own marketing and through the We are Weymouth website and social media platforms we can reach a wider audience. A visitor newsletter detailing the Open for Art exhibition was sent to over 6000 people this week.”
Olivia Nurrish, Co-organiser of Open for Art said “I would like to thank our sponsors and also Nikki Davies from Wowz design who has helped design the brochure and branding for the exhibition, but most of all I would like to thank our artists for their hard work and willingness to open their studios and exhibit their work”.
The Open for Art exhibition will be open until 4th June in over 40 venues across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.
Find out more about Artwey Open for Art and other events at www.weareweymouth.co.uk/event/open-for-art
Download a brochure at https://www.artwey.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/OPA-final-LR.pdf
