Celebration showcases city’s art diversity

More than 100 artists are taking part in the landmark celebration of the York Open Studios, which starts today and features a diverse range of events featuring York Minster’s medieval glass to an art installation in an independent school’s cricket pavilion.

The festival of art will run throughout this weekend, and a series of events are also planned from next Friday until Sunday.

Among the first-time exhibitors at this year’s event are Suzi Tibbetts, who graduated from the Royal College of Art in London two years ago and is now the artist in residence at Bootham School in York.

She has transformed the inside of the school’s cricket pavilion with a woollen art installation.

Miss Tibbetts, 27, said: “It is really exciting to be involved with the York Open Studios. There is such a diverse range of talent on show. York is such a beautiful city and you can seek so much inspiration here.”

Members of the York Glaziers’ Trust will also give the public an insight into their work transforming a disused medieval chapel into a studio.

The Bedern Glaziers’ Studio will be open to give visitors the chance to see the ongoing restoration of York Minster’s Great East Window, John Thornton’s masterpiece which took three years to complete in the 15th century.

The York Open Studios has attracted thousands of visitors from across the country since it was launched a decade ago.

Chairwoman Ruth King, who is a ceramicist, said: “York’s visual arts community has grown and thrived since we began. We have such a diversity of art on show and lots of extras we have arranged by way of celebration.”

More details about this year’s event are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 01904 706123. A full programme can be downloaded at www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk

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