Ryedale artists open their doors to see their work and creations

For the third year running, Vault Arts Center CIC is organizing Ryedale Open Studios this summer. On the weekends of September 9th and 10th and September 16th and 17th.

Ryedale Open Studios 2023 is the third year of Open Studios, dedicated to celebrating the creativity and artistic talent in Ryedale.

Coordinated by the Vault Arts Center Community Interest Company, the event celebrates and showcases the rich arts and crafts taking place throughout the region.

Artists, makers and creatives from across Ryedale will welcome visitors over the two weekends, offering them both an exclusive look into their workplaces and the opportunity to purchase artwork directly.

This year more artists are taking part than ever before, demonstrating the popularity and long-term commitment of the event. The returning painters, sculptors, ceramicists, photographers and more will be joined in 2023 by Lockton artists who will present their work together at the Lockton Village Hall over the two weekends. There will be ten exhibitors in Lockton, including well-known local artist Sue Slack and blacksmith David Stephenson, as well as a total of 50 exhibitors across the Ryedale district.

In addition to the two weekends of open studios, the public will be able to view a curated collection from the participating artists in an exhibition at The Courtyard at Dalby Forest. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until September 17th.

The artists’ studios are open every day of the event between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Layla Khoo, co-founder of Vault Arts Centre, said: “This event has grown year on year since its launch in 2021. Artists comment on how friendly and inclusive the event is. We have a more diverse and engaged group of artists who enjoy interacting with the public and selling their work directly.”

Anna Matyus, a Welburn-based graphic designer, is looking forward to taking part in this year’s event.

She said: “Participating in Ryedale Open Studios over the last few years has been an extremely positive experience. I’ve been lucky enough to meet lots of people from across Yorkshire and beyond, introduce them to my work and explain the creative process behind it. Given the record number of creators taking part, I expect interest in the event to be even greater in 2023 and look forward to welcoming many more people this September.”

Ione Harrison from Nunnington Studios said: “I work primarily in watercolors and ink and am inspired by the beautiful landscape of North Yorkshire.”

“Workshops have really taken off for me. I love the process of collaborating with other people and believe everyone can paint and experience the joy of playful exploration that watercolor brings.”

www.ryedaleopenstudios.com shows the 50 participating artists what they have on offer and where to find them with a downloadable map. Ryedale Open Studios is operated by the Vault Arts Centre, a not-for-profit company established to develop artistic activities and events in the Ryedale region. The founders and directors of the Vault Arts Center are Layla Khoo, Kirsty Kirk and Petra Young.