During the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday weekend, 245 local artists will exhibit across 68 venues in what promises to be a true celebration of arts and creativity in the county.
Coming together under the umbrella of Derbyshire Open Arts, this annual three-day event provides a vital platform for local artists to promote their work, while offering a free opportunity for the public to engage with exhibiting and practicing artists at work, and in their own workspace.
‘It was originally put together as an open studio event, where artists and makers would open their studios and showcase what they do all over the Derbyshire countryside,’ says Leigh Wood, chair of Derbyshire Open Arts.
‘Since Covid, it’s changed slightly. We obviously had to work within the restrictions that were in place and that’s changed the dynamics a little bit but it’s still retains its core value of showcasing the abundance of talent that exists throughout Derbyshire.
Lots of the art on show celebrates our county, such as this picture of Milford by 2025 exhibitor Zaza Lewis Photo: Zaza Lewis ‘The three days stretch out over a huge geographical area and the great thing is you can create your own route and plan a day trip around these wonderful places based on your preferences. Our brochure, which can be downloaded online, is a great reference point for this.’
Indeed, Derbyshire Open Arts’ website is a treasure-trove of information and extremely user-friendly, with the option to filter and distil down information and venues including location; disabled access; genres and more.
‘The website’s functionality is a great string to our bow and we try to make it as easy as possible,’ adds Leigh.
‘We get a lot of people asking what they can expect to see and by giving people the option to tailor their search, visitors can find exactly what they’re looking for based on their interests.’
But what of the 245 participants themselves?
‘The majority of Derbyshire Open Arts is made up of Derbyshire makers,’ explains Leigh.
‘There are a few who come from further afield to showcase at this event but the vast majority are Derbyshire people creating things that are made in Derbyshire, which I think deserves celebrating.
‘For many, this is their full-time job, this is what they do for a living. Events such as this are so important in shining a light on these talented people and their businesses, which are often small, one-person operations.
Leigh is clearly a big advocate of the arts in Derbyshire and will himself be exhibiting at Derbyshire Open Arts 2025 alongside his role as chair of the organisation.
However, his own personal journey to becoming a creative is not a particularly conventional one, as he explains.
‘I actually started off as a fabricated welder, working for a big company. I started making little pieces in my spare time as a hobby and it all just escalated from there.
‘I put some pieces in a local shop which all sold within a week and then a couple of art galleries approached me and they were calling me an artist; I had actually never considered myself an artist before that point.’
Leigh’s company, Metal Manipulation, is based on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border, nestled in the heart of the National Forest where he makes industrial style lighting, furniture, garden ornaments, sculptures and gifts – all handmade from his Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts base.
‘We’ve got two units now at Staunton Harold,’ he adds. ‘I also attend a lot of the art shows myself with my work and aside from being chair, I’m proud to be one of hundreds of artists involved in this year’s Open Arts Derbyshire.’
Being an artist can be a highly rewarding, if sometimes isolating, existence, often resulting in hours locked away in a studio.
In this sense, the community feel that accompanies this three-day celebration is palpable, and brings our county’s creatives together – no matter what stage of their journey they are at.
‘I would say around 80% of the artists work alone,’ suggests Leigh. ‘They probably have a studio in the garden or rent a small space somewhere and there might not be a great deal of collaboration on a day-to-day basis.
‘So, getting out to these events, seeing familiar faces and making new connections can be really key to both them and their business. Some of those who will be exhibiting in 2025 have been doing so for years, however at the other end of the scale we have people doing it for the first time.
‘That works really well, especially for new exhibitors because they get the opportunity to speak to artists who may have been doing this for 30 years, so they’re able to tap into some really good insights and make connections along the way. It’s a great community and one which always helps each other out.’
Organising an event with so many venues and participants is no mean feat and Leigh is full of praise for the hard work and dedication that goes on almost year-round behind the scenes.
‘I’ve always been involved as an artist and it’s only fairly recently that I came onto the committee in order to help and share the knowledge I have,’ he says.
‘The team is the real core of Derbyshire Open Arts and they do an absolutely amazing job. It’s all run by passionate volunteers who put many, many hours into getting it right and without them this simply couldn’t happen; they’re amazing.’
Leigh says the committee will take a short breather once this month’s event is over but, as he explains, there’s little time to relax.
‘Once the events have taken place we usually have a small break but it is very much a year-long undertaking,’ he says.
‘As soon as 2025 is finished, we’ll be busy planning for next year and will sit down and look at things that went well; things we can improve on; ways we can enhance the visitor experience; how we can make things a bit different… so as one ends the next one starts really, but it’s all worthwhile when it all comes together.’
For Derbyshire Open Arts 2025, Leigh will be flying the flag for a brand new venue to the scheme and it’s here you’ll be able to catch him on the Bank Holiday weekend.
‘I’m organising Mercia Marina, a new venue for 2025, which is really exciting,’ he concludes.
‘We have just under 20 artists exhibiting there and a big mix of mediums – from ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and even a florist making candles. It should be a great three days.’
Banks Mill Studios
Visit Banks Mill Studios during the Derbyshire Open Arts Festival where you can meet eight Derby artists, designers, and makers all under one roof.
Visitors will be able to take in the working studios and buy or commission original artwork and handmade products direct from the artists.
With free entry, studios will be open from 10am-5pm each day and the work on show at Banks Mill, on Bridge Street, Derby, will include art, photography, upcycled lighting and painted furniture.
One maker taking part this year is Little Ivy Designs, run by Alison Sutherland. Alison takes old and unwanted furniture and gives it a new lease of life by individually hand painting each item.
Scott Trelfa runs Stage Left Lux and reclaims unused items, transforming them into quirky light fittings and lamps.
Sarah Perkins is another artist at Banks Mill. Sarah specialises in animal and wildlife art and many of her works can be purchased as household items such as cushions, coasters and limited edition prints as well as commissioned pet portraits.
Wylde Oake Artistry is run by Jane, known affectionately as ‘the mushroom lady’. Jane works mainly in pastels and is often found in the countryside hunting for different types of fungi to paint.
‘The festival is a great opportunity for the public to visit our artists in their studios to find out how they design and make their items,’ says Bank Mills’ Karen Holland.
‘There are also several other venues open nearby, so it’s really worth a trip to Derby to meet lots of arts and makers, in fact there are over 60 in the Derby area this year.’
Banksmill.co.uk/whats-on/darts2025.
DISCOVER MORE
To download a brochure and find out more, including all locations as well as details on those taking part, visit derbyshireopenarts.co.uk.
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