Wimbledon Art Studios was established in 1993 and is the biggest, single site art studio complex in the whole of Britain.
It has grown significantly since its humble beginnings (taking up part of a working paper mill) and is now home to more than 160 studio spaces in two buildings. More than 200 artists currently work at the site, engaged mainly in contemporary art.
The philosophy of Wimbledon Art Studios is geared around helping artists to become independent by providing an encouraging, stable and positive environment in which to work, at the same time offering expert advice and career development support to those who want it.
The life of an artist can be very solitary, and while this may suit some, Wimbledon Art Studios sees value in creating very much a community atmosphere among the artists, where they can help one another and offer encouragement. This kind of set-up can prove invaluable for an artist, especially at the start of their career.
Twice a year, the place throws its doors open for the general public to go along and meet the artists in an event called Open Studios. It's a rare opportunity to explore this vibrant space while enjoying a broad range of art from many disciplines including painting, ceramics, weaving, photography, furniture making, textile design, and sculpture.
To find out when the next four-day Open Studios event is taking place, click
here.
Chat with the artists, view their work – and if you see something you like, make a purchase. It's a very popular event that never fails to pull in people from across London. The last Open Studios event saw more than 5,000 people in attendance, making it the largest Open Studios art show in Europe.
