Cambridge Open Studio becomes Open WINDOWS

Cambridge Open Studios (COS) is sadly one of the many many things to have been cancelled this year for artists due to Corona Virus. Being the biggest event in my calendar income wise, this is really disappointing.
But it’s not just about money, it’s also a deadline to work towards creatively/professionally, and an opportunity to increase ones audience and connections.

Look what I’ve found myself organising!

When I heard of other artists in my artist mentoring programme doing alternative events for their Open Studios around the country, I began to ponder whether we could do something similar here in Cambridge. Some were doing online exhibitions but others were putting their art in their windows and this was something I thought could maybe work for us.

Artists around the country are joining in with #openwindows2020, an initiative that originated in Brighton.

After posing the idea to the COS committee I realised that it was something that needed organising amongst the artists to avoid any cost and I set about quantifying what type of project I felt able to offer to put together.

People liked the idea and wanted to help!

Since my first musing (around the 2nd week of April) we’ve had 145 people sign up to join in! We’ve got a video, a website page with art gallery, we’ve got 4 maps, a poster, a social media virtual programme and I’ve actually lost count of how many magazine/newspaper articles and radio interviews I’ve done or organised!

Cambridge Independent News

What actually is Cambridge #openwindows2020?

Let me outline the plan for you:
WHAT - 4 weekends of July artists put their art in the windows of their houses, they also put their names and the website for people to find out more.
HOW - people download a local map from www.camopenstudios.co.uk/open-windows (with spots on where they can find an artists) and do an art treasure hunt, discovering the artists in their neighbourhood. We have also planned a virtual programme on social media where alongside the art in windows, artists share a bit about behind the scenes using #cosart2020.
WHY? - to invest in our communities at this challenging time, bringing colour to our streets and cheering people up. Also to inspire creativity and to help promote local artists. 

The more the merrier!

What’s really lovely is that before we’ve even started I’ve had several requests from people who are not members of Open Studios asking if they can join in as well. I love that people are feeling inspired and positive about the plan, and of course they can join in - the more the merrier! Wouldn’t it be amazing to see every window in every street filled up with colourful, cheerful art for their neighbours to enjoy?!

Count down

We now have 9 days before our first weekend, so I’ve turned my attention from organising the event to thinking about how I can actually take part myself! Creating a page to direct people to on my website and thinking about what art will fit in each window pane.
Here is my COS PAGE outlining my plans, and here is my new SHOP PAGE (art under £200) that I’ve set up to coincide with the event. To see Private View please sign up HERE to subscribe to my newsletters, open to the public from Monday 29th June.
It’s a lot less effort than the normal overhaul of the house that takes place for Cambridge Open Studios, but there’s still a fair amount to think about! Once things get underway I’ll check back with you guys and share how its going.