Preview: Berwick Open Studios

Photos by Pictorial Photography

Berwick Open Studios launches its first edition this autumn, with more than 60 artists, makers and creatives opening their doors across two weekends (26th–27th September and 3rd–4th October) for a town‑wide celebration of Berwick’s growing cultural scene. Spread across 25 venues, from Barracks Artist Studios and Abstract Berwick to 27 Art House and The Old Brewery, the event offers a rare chance to step inside working studios, meet the people shaping the town’s creative identity, and pick up original art directly from the makers.

Illustrator Ali Edwards is among those taking part, welcoming visitors into her home studio on Glamis Hill and championing Berwick’s “treasure trove” of heritage architecture as a constant source of inspiration.

Mills Jackson Rowe, an artist and curator working across painting, collage, print and mixed media, will be showcasing her work at Jackal on Hide Hill. “Open Studios feels like an opportunity to make Berwick’s creative connections more visible, encourage conversations and hopefully make art feel more accessible and welcoming to people who might not usually step into gallery spaces,” she said.

Berwick Open Studios project manager, Abigail Thomas, adds, “Berwick is packed full of artists, studios and creative venues. It’s a location which inspires through its landscape, heritage and stories, and this can clearly be seen in the art which is made here.

“Berwick Open Studios has been created to show people the incredible creative talent we have here and to invite people to come and discover what makes this town such a special and inspiring place.

“This is the first Berwick Open Studios event and the response from Berwick’s artists has been incredible. People want to be involved and they want to help celebrate the creative community we have in the town

“We’re looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors to experience Berwick’s contemporary arts scene, step inside hidden creative spaces and discover the work of Northumberland’s artists.”

A printed guide map will be available from Berwick Visitor Centre and dotted around town, making it easy to build your own route through the weekend. Head to the Create Berwick website to find out more.