ARTISTS across the Wirral Peninsula will be opening their studios to visitors this weekend.
Painters, photographers, felt makers, sculptors and jewellers will be among those on hand to discuss their displayed work and demonstrate their techniques.
Some of the 21 venues will also be holding public workshops.
Founded in 2009 by Hoylake-based painter Micheline Robinson, the Wirral Open Studios Tour aims to raise awareness of the large concentration of artists in the region.
More than 1,000 people attended last year’s event, which was incorporated into the Independents Biennial, the fringe strand of Liverpool’s contemporary arts festival.
“It’s a chance for people to talk one-on-one with the artists,” says Robinson, who moved to the UK from Ottawa, in Canada, in 2002.
“Usually, in a gallery, you don’t get to see who created the art work you’re looking at.”
There is no specified trail – Robinson recommends looking through the brochure, available online or from local libraries, and choosing whichever artists catch your eye.
Some who have studios in Liverpool but live in Wirral are displaying work in their own homes. Others are holding group shows in Melrose Hall and St Luke’s Church, in Hoylake.
Participating venues will be marked with purple banners and balloons.
“Often there’s an element of British reserve that makes people feel uncomfortable about going into strangers’ homes,” adds Robinson.
“But the artists are very keen to welcome them – they just need to look out for the purple banners.”
There are 34 participants this year – compared to 26 in 2010. They include freelance Chinese calligrapher Cathy Wu, who has exhibited in Britain, Hong Kong and Canada; seascape photographer Marianthi Lainas and former architect Graham Thew, who left his job to become a full-time artist and watercolour teacher in 2006.
Alison Bailey-Smith, who creates accessories from reclaimed materials, will be showing her “objects of beauty and function”, while Tommy McHugh, for example, a plumber who discovered art after suffering brain haemorrhages, will be displaying his paintings.
The event is funded by an Arts Council grant.
THE Wirral Open Studio tour takes place from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Download a brochure at www.wirralart.com
