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Ashdown Forest Open Studios

@afopenstudios

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A celebration of creativity inspired by the beautiful landscape that has long drawn artists, writers, and makers to this special part of Sussex.
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✨ AND SO IT IS DONE… ✨ The very first Ashdown Forest Open Studios has officially come to an end! 🌿🎨 Three wonderful days. 🎨 80 talented artists 📍 20 venues 🌿 5 art trails ❤️ And so many lovely visitors! A HUGE thank you to every one of our wonderful artists who opened their studios, shared their work, demonstrated their skills, chatted, laughed and helped make our inaugural event such a success. And, of course, an equally huge thank you to YOU — our visitors. ❤️ Thank you for following the trails, stepping through our doors, stopping for a chat, asking questions, commenting on our work and, in some cases, finding that special piece of art that you simply couldn’t live without! 🥰 Because of you, there are now 80 very tired… but very happy artists dotted around the Ashdown Forest tonight! We hope you discovered new artists, found places you hadn’t visited before and came away feeling just a little more inspired by the incredible creativity we have here in Sussex. The first Ashdown Forest Open Studios may be over… But we’ll see you next year! 🌿🎨✨ Until then, keep following us here to stay connected with our artists and find out what comes next. #AshdownForestOpenStudios #AshdownForest #SussexArtists #SussexArt #OpenStudios by @afopenstudios
BUY A PIECE OF ART AND HELP SUPPORT ASHDOWN FOREST! STUDIO 1 — ASHDOWN FOREST CENTRE And finally, we’re back where we started with Studio 1 — but this one is a little different! Throughout the Ashdown Forest Open Studios weekend, the Ashdown Forest Centre will be hosting a special exhibition featuring work generously donated by a selection of our participating artists. A small selection of these pieces can be seen above. And the exciting bit? Every piece is going up for auction! Our online art auction goes live on 4th September, giving you the opportunity to bid on an original piece of art while also supporting the landscape that has inspired so many of the artists taking part in this year’s Open Studios. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Ashdown Forest Foundation. The donated artworks will be on display at the Ashdown Forest Centre throughout the Open Studios weekend, so do pop in and see them in person before deciding which one might need to come home with you! 📅 4th, 5th & 6th September ⏰ 10am–5pm See it. Love it. Bid on it. Support the Forest. Visit Studio 1 at the Ashdown Forest Centre to see all the donated artworks in person, then simply scan the QR code in this post to visit the online auction. You can also find the auction through the link in our bio. Save this post, share it with your art-loving friends and get ready to bid from 4th September! #ashdownforestopenstudios #charityauction #ashdownforest #raisemoneyforcharity #onlinecharityauction by @afopenstudios
Day 3: Coming up… 🎨🌿 It’s getting closer! ✨ From 4th–6th September, the very first Ashdown Forest Open Studios will open its doors, bringing together 80 talented artists and makers across 20 studios throughout the beautiful East Sussex countryside. For three days, you’ll be able to step inside artists’ studios, discover new work, meet the people behind it and get a glimpse into the creative processes that usually happen behind closed doors. And there’s even more to explore… 👀 🎨 80 artists & makers 🏡 20 studios to discover 🖌️ Free talks & demonstrations ✨ Exciting workshops ❤️ A charity auction supporting the Ashdown Forest Foundation ⭐ A chance to win artwork as you explore the trail Whether you’re an art lover, collector, curious browser, fellow maker, or simply looking for something lovely to do at the weekend — there’s something for everyone. 📅 4th, 5th & 6th September 2026 ⏰ 10am–5pm each day 📍 Across Ashdown Forest & East Sussex So save the date, gather your friends and family, and come and discover the incredible creative community right here on our doorstep🌳🎨 We can’t wait to welcome you! Find out more and start planning your art trail via the link in @afopenstudios bio💚 📸 by @getmediasavvy_ • • • • • • #AshdownForestOpenStudios #AFOS #AshdownForest #Maker #SussexArtist by @afopenstudios
A total surprise to get an excited call last week from Sandy that Corinna who won the 1st prize for the Collecting stars at the Ashdown Forest Open Studios competition chose to spend her £200 prize money on my jewellery! Scroll to see what she chose! Sandy who organised the wonderful @afopenstudios and I sped to Uckfield to hand over the prize to delighted Carinna overseen by her bemused father in law who’d only just been told we were coming! Thank you to @sandyinfield - what a genius competition and @louisajanek for hosting me in her fabulous house - I can’t wait to be part of the Open Studios next year! Special mention for my trusted @sideline_ww dress - it’s always admired when I wear it! #winners #rosehoneydesign #jewellerywinnwr #firstprize by @afopenstudios
Conversations from the (Ashdown) Forest part I There’s so much love for the fish necklaces and earrings - I’m so delighted! Lots of stories, memories, associations, recommendations, and @louisajanek had a beautiful fish painting at the Open Studio too! They are my perfect fish shape, and their expressions adorable. My current favourite are the big and small bronze fish on long red cord. I love the bright pop of colour and the softer sheen of the bronze. My first time working with bronze, echoes of ancient relics and statues. #fishjewellery #rosehoneyfish #fishoncord #rosehoneytrending #goldfishpendant by @afopenstudios
Highlights from my open studio weekend part of the Ashdown Forest Open Studios event. THANK YOU to everyone who came along, to all those who bought paintings and cards extra big thanks and for all the wonderful positive conversations! Well had 3 lovely days!! See you next year!! @afopenstudios @anastasiahilleceramics by @afopenstudios
✨Studio 5 - Day 3 Recap✨ The weekend may be over, but we continue to celebrate the incredible talent that was showcased all around the Ashdown Forest 🌳💞 At studio 5, alongside every colour you could imagine, you would have also found: 🎨 @richard.heys (paintings, prints) If you missed the chance to purchase some incredible artwork over the weekend (or if you just wished you could get more 😉), do not fret! There is still an opportunity💞 Many of our artists have generously donated a piece of work for an online, silent auction in partnership with @theashdownforestfoundation whereby all money raised will go directly to the forest 🌳💞The auction closes on Sunday - so be quick! Head to Ashdown Forest Open Studios’ website (link in bio) to find out more. #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #ashdownforest by @afopenstudios
✨Studio 4 - Day 3 Recap✨ The weekend may be over, but we continue to celebrate the incredible talent that was showcased all around the Ashdown Forest 🌳💞 At studio 4, you would have found: 🖼️🎨✏️ @louisehyndartist (drawings, paintings, mixed media) 🖼️ Isobel Moore (mixed media, textile art) 🍶 @laurie.jeanne.clay (ceramics) ✏️ @benstevensonartworks (drawings) 🖼️ @studioanoushkacole (prints, textile art) If you missed the chance to purchase some incredible artwork over the weekend (or if you just wished you could get more 😉), do not fret! There is still an opportunity💞 Many of our artists have generously donated a piece of work for an online, silent auction in partnership with @theashdownforestfoundation whereby all money raised will go directly to the forest 🌳💞 Head to Ashdown Forest Open Studios’ website (link in bio) to find out more! #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #ashdownforest by @afopenstudios
✨Studio 2 - Day 3 Recap✨ The weekend may be over, but we continue to celebrate the incredible talent that was showcased all around the Ashdown Forest 🌳💞 At studio 2, you would have found: 🎨 @annabelkapp (paintings, prints) 🍶 @anastasiahilleceramics (ceramics) If you missed the chance to purchase some incredible artwork over the weekend (or if you just wished you could get more 😉), do not fret! There is still an opportunity💞 Many of our artists have generously donated a piece of work for an online, silent auction in partnership with @theashdownforestfoundation whereby all money raised will go directly to the forest 🌳💞 Head to Ashdown Forest Open Studios’ website (link in bio) to find out more! #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #ashdownforest by @afopenstudios
✨Studio 3 - Day 3 Recap✨ The weekend may be over, but we will still continue to celebrate the incredible talent showcased all around the Ashdown Forest 🌳💞 Studio 3 gave you a proper experience of the Sussex lifestyle… located at @tablehurst.farm and involving the artists: 🎨 @sheri.gee.art (paintings) 🍶 Susie Hallows (ceramics) 💍 @alisoncrowejewellery (jewellery) 📸 Judith Strudwick (photography) 🫙 @glassophony (glass) If you missed the chance to purchase some incredible artwork over the weekend (or if you just wished you could get more 😉), do not fret! There is still an opportunity💞 Many of our artists have generously donated a piece of work for an online, silent auction in partnership with @theashdownforestfoundation whereby all money raised will go directly to the forest 🌳💞 Head to Ashdown Forest Open Studios’ website (link in bio) to find out more! #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #ashdownforest by @afopenstudios
Less than 24 hours to go! 🥳 It has been a busy week this week… 80 artists hard at work carefully curating 20 different open studios for the exhibitions which kick off tomorrow at 10am and are running all weekend!🥳 Here is a sneak peak into the behind the scenes of Studio 11 preparations 👀 At this studio you will find… @yasadam_artist (paintings & prints) @sophiewhelptonceramics (ceramics) @alisonbuchananphotography (photography) @janetylerstudio (ceramics) @sjbmixedmediaartist (mixed media) @lauramnicholson (jewellery) Don’t miss your chance to get inspired whilst witnessing a vast array of creative talents presenting their work this weekend. Open studios give you a chance to meet the artists personally, and talk to them one-to-one 💞 Head to Ashdown Forest Open Studios website (link in bio) to explore more of the incredible artists that will be exhibiting this weekend. There are 20 studios to explore - all situated around the beautiful Ashdown Forest. Any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #artexhibitions by @afopenstudios
✨Studio 12 - Day 1 Recap✨ If you find yourself on the Fairwarp art trail this weekend, make sure you don’t miss a visit to Black Shed Studios (studio 12)! Head to the website (link in bio) to find out more about specific locations, and how to plan your trail for Saturday (today) and Sunday (tomorrow) 😅😅 Artists👩‍🎨🧑‍🎨at this venue include: 🎨@sandyinfield (Paintings, Prints, Textile Art, Mixed Media, Drawings) 🍶 @nickybaggeceramics (Ceramics) 💍 @floral_fox_jewellery (Jewellery) 💍 @pagettejewellery (Jewellery) 🪚 @garybuckett (Sculpture) 🪚🎨 @dakotadesigns_nickbowering (Sculpture, Paintings) 🪚📸 @thebearhouse_btn (Photography, Sculpture) 🪚 @brettgbanks (Sculpture) @blackshedstudios #ashdownforestopenstudios #openstudios2026 #ashdownforest by @afopenstudios

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