Exhibition to launch Isle of Wight Open Studios 2024

A showcase exhibition is to be held to launch Isle of Wight Open Studios 2024.

The main event, in August, sees Island artists open their studios to the public, but a preview exhibition of some of the work will be held at Quay Arts in Newport.

The exhibition, curated and installed by Quay Arts in the Café and Clayden Gallery, opens with a launch event from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, July 12, which will introduce the new IW Open Studios Community Interest Company together with their team of volunteers.

The exhibition will then be open daily from 9am to 5pm until Sunday, August 4.

This free exhibition is being held to raise public awareness of IW Open Studios, giving visitors a glimpse of the diverse range of work of a selection of the 120-plus artists participating this year.

Pieces on display will also be available to buy.

Caroline Underwood, one of the three directors of Isle of Wight Open Studios, is an artist who has been exhibiting her artwork on the Isle of Wight and beyond for over 20 years.

She said: "I think having one Islandwide coordinated event is an important element of the local cultural offer.

"The Isle of Wight Open Studios event has such valuable potential to help make the creative community here visible and provides a meaningful way for artists to connect with local residents and tourists alike.

"The showcase exhibition at Quay Arts brings together many artists' work in one place, representing the diversity of talent involved and offering visitors a taster of the kinds of artworks they can look forward to discovering when they explore Open Studios later this summer.”