More than 290 venues set to showcase their work on Hampshire art trail

More than 290 artists from across the county will let visitors into their workspaces as part of the upcoming Hampshire Open Studios.

Now in its 23rd year, the annual event sees artists opening their homes, galleries and studios to the public, offering the chance to meet them and find out more about their work.

The garden of Lisa Bartlett in Long Sutton

This year, Hampshire Open Studios has launched an app, available on both Android and iOS, alongside its catalogue to make it easier for visitors to find venues near them.

Visitors can also enter a prize draw to win £100 towards artwork from their favourite Hampshire Open Studios artist.

The trail features more than a thousand artists from all corners of Hampshire, from Jenny Kennish and Len Murrell in Tadley through to Art & Co all the way down in Lymington, with a range of different styles and media on offer.

Hampshire Open Studios takes place between 19th to the 28th August.

The event also raises money for charity through donations, with last year’s raising more than £25,000.

Hampshire Open Studios was first founded in 2000 by Wendi Watson with a focus on Southampton and her cohort of artist friends.

When she became unwell, it was taken over by New Forest artist Pete Gilbert who, in 2014, contacted current Creative Director Lesley Self who also works part time for Art Care at Salisbury Hospital as their arts in health project coordinator.

“When I took over there were around 140 venues each year,” Lesley explained.

“I gave it a rebrand and a refresh with a new website and expanded it to what it is today.

“Our new app, which we’ve launched this year, works really well – if I say so myself!

“It’s user friendly and enables people to search by artist, media and date then save that to a wish-list. I’m hoping it will be well-received by visitors.

“We currently print around 60,000 brochures each year, so it would be good if, as more people start using the app, we could reduce this.”

• https://hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/