Local arts and culture event opens its doors for a 20th year

An annual event that celebrates art, craft and design in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley returns this November for what will be its 20th anniversary. Ouseburn Open Studios takes place the last weekend of November in the Ouseburn, which is widely acknowledged as the cultural quarter of the city. Eight venues will open their doors across both days, offering the public a unique insight into the working world of more than 200 local artists and designer-makers - representing a huge variety of affordable and original work to buy, from paintings, ceramics and sculpture to jewellery, furniture and prints, and lots more besides. Visitors can also expect an eclectic programme of live music, delicious food and interactive workshops, sprinkled with some seasonal spirit and Christmas stocking goodies. Some highlights this year include:

• 36 Lime Street - explore original work encompassing paint, glass, wood, ceramics, print, music, jewellery, words and more.  The gallery is also hosting a drawing exhibition as part of the North East's drawing? Programme.
• Cobalt Studios - opening its doors for the first time in a few years, Cobalt has seven new studios to showcase as well as its evolving Play Space, offering food, drink, music, print/card sales, ping pong and more.
• Mushroom Works - meet its artists and designers, with handmade products for the home, jewellery, prints, paintings and furniture available to buy or commission.
• Northern Print – tour the studio, learn all about original printmaking, see the presses in action and even produce your own hand-printed masterpiece to take home.
• Jim Edwards Artist Studio Gallery – as a brand new venture, Jim Edwards will be opening his Studio Gallery for the first time during Ouseburn Open Studios, showcasing his paintings and prints of the North East.
• The Biscuit Factory - come along to the Wondering Workshop where local author and illustrator Faye Hanson will read from her book, The Wonder, and offer visitors the chance to draw-along.
• The Biscuit Tin Studios – meet professional artists, printmakers, designers and makers and shop their latest collections at the Open Studios Weekend Pop-Up exhibition.
• Toffee Factory - NewBridge Books, a shop and social space based in Newcastle city centre, will be uprooting for the weekend and curating a selling exhibition especially for Toffee Factory.

Rachel Brown, Ouseburn Open Studios project co-ordinator and general manager of The Biscuit Factory says: “It’s great to have two extra venues taking part in this, our 20th year of Ouseburn Open Studios, making it the largest event it’s ever been. “It’s great to see how the event has developed and grown over the years to become the largest of its kind in the North East. The standard of work showcased continues to rise and the number of people we attract continues to increase, so I’m hopeful this will be the best year yet - in keeping with its momentous anniversary!” Ouseburn Open Studios takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2015, between 10am and 5pm. The event is free to attend and there will be a free bus available to help people travel between venues. For more information about Ouseburn Open Studios, visit www.ouseburnopenstudios.org