Buy art for Christmas: open studios and winter markets

Bath Humbug Art Market
Running alongside Bath Christmas Market, the artists’ studios 44AD has its own art market selling affordable works of art and design led crafts, ranging from paintings and artists’ books to ceramics and hand-stitched leather goods. There’s Suzanne Baginski’s contemporary fused glass, Carole Anne Tonge’s etchings and collagraphs, and a Christmas wreath-making workshop over the Saturdays of 2 and 9 December.
23 November – 10 December 2017, 11am-7pm (Sun 11am – 6pm), 44AD, 4 Abbey Street, Bath BA1 1NN.
www.44ad.net/bath-humbug-art-market.html

Cockpit Arts Open Studios
The social enterprise and business incubator for craftspeople opens the doors of its two centres in Holborn and Deptford this winter. With up to 170 small businesses nestled within these walls, this is a chance to buy gifts and products from early-career makers and more established businesses. Cockpit Arts will use the entry fee to support the careers of more crafts practitioners. Entry is free on Fridays between 11am and 2pm, and (£6/£4) at other points.
23-26 November, Holborn, Northington Street, London WC1N; 2&3 December, Deptford, 18-22 Creekside, London SE8.
cockpitarts.com/shop-cockpit/open-studios/

Ashford Visual Artists Winter Art Fair
Ashford’s association of professional artists has been meeting and exhibiting together since the late 1990s. Members range from photographers and printmakers, installation artists and sculptors, as well as artisans working in metal, furniture design and jewellery. The group’s winter market, held at the historic Jacobean home Godinton House and Gardens, promises Christmas gifts for all tastes. Ceramics and textiles will be available from Isabel Dickinson, whose studio at the picturesque Sandhurst Farm Forge is also open throughout December.
24-26 November 2017, 10am-4pm, Godinton House & Gardens, Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP.
www.a-n.co.uk/events/ashford-visual-artists-winter-art-fair

Winter Designer Maker Fair, London
Chisato Tamabayashi has transformed Kingsgate Workshops’ window into a winter scene using paper cut art techniques. This snowy forest casts its shadows onto the pavement below as the studio complex transforms its newly revamped yard into an outdoor market – with a special night market held during the fair’s opening night between 6-9pm. Elsewhere, inside the Victorian warehouse building are a number of curated shop spaces. As a bonus, there’ll be giving away a number of canvas bags designed by resident artists.
24-26 November 2017, Fri 6-9pm; Sat, 12-9pm; Sun, 12-6pm, Kingsgate Workshops, 110-116 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2 JG.
www.kingsgateworkshops.org.uk/winter-fair

Christmas Open Studios, Fife
The artists, designers and makers of Fire Station Creative open their studios and share an insight into their working practices. Alongside their paintings, jewellery and bespoke furniture and home furnishings, this creative hub has invited a number of non-resident locally-based artist-makers to present their work.
25-26 November 2017, (Sat, 11am-5pm; Fri, 11am-4pm), Fire Station Creative, Carnegie Drive, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7AN.
www.firestationcreative.co.uk

Parade Mews Art Studios Christmas Sale, London
Within the cobbled courtyards of Parade Mews, 15 ceramic artists open their studios this winter. If you are there on the opening night (Friday 1 December, 6-9pm), grab a mulled wine, mince pie or wood-fired pizza. This busy creative mews includes a number of other artists’ open studios, including glass blowers Michael Ruh Studio.
1-3 December 2017, Fri 6-9pm; Sat and Sun 2-6pm, Tulse Hill, London SE27 9AX.
www.a-n.co.uk/events/parade-mews-art-studios-christmas-sale

Printland, Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen
End of year exhibition and print sale with works by local and national artists, with prices starting at just £1. ‘Printland’ also marks the launch of Lunar Voyage, a new publication celebrating the recent collaboration between Tom Hammick and Peacock Print Studio. The new publication will be available to buy for £10. Opening on 1 December runs 6-8pm.
1 December 2017 – 20 January 2018, Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, The W OR M, 11 Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5BQ.
www.peacockvisualarts.com/printland-2

Open Studios Christmas 2017
For over 10 years, the former granary building of Coburg House in the port district of Leith has been home to artists studios. The community hub opens its doors for a festive weekend, inviting the public to discover the work and workspaces of over 80 artists, designers and makers.
1-3 December 2017, Fri 6-9pm; Sat/Sun, 11-5pm, Coburg House Art Studios, 15 Coburg Street, Edinburgh EH6 6ET.
www.facebook.com/events/962985370499819/

Coexist Winter Shop and Open Studios, Bristol
Over 400 independent creatives work in Hamilton House and the regular Coexist Shop and Gallery is tripling in size over the festive season, stocking handmade creations, original art and a range of books, cards and gifts. For the Open Studios launch party on Friday 1 December (6-8pm) their very own community kitchen is making mulled cider and Christmas biscuits.
1-14 December 2017, Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY.
www.hamiltonhouse.org/shop

Christmas Artisan Craft Fair, Faversham
Returning for its eighth consecutive year within the former late-Victorian brewery building of Creek Creative Studios, this Christmas fair provides a wide range of artisan-made gifts, from scarves, handbags, jewellery and candles to cards, prints, paintings and ceramics. Located in the centre of Faversham within a historic area full of artists and makers, the arts complex is arranged over three floors and includes art galleries, studios, project spaces, a cafe and co-working areas.
2&3 December 2017, 10am-4pm, Creek Creative Studios, Number 1, Abbey Street, Faversham ME13 7BE.
creek-creative.org

Christmas Open Studios, Stroud
Following its summer programme, Site Festival comes to life again this Christmas with its open studios programme. For those wishing for warmer climes, Site are inviting visitors to follow the well designed (and well-mapped) route of its May directory. Substitute the dates, et voila!
2&3 December 2017, 10am-4pm, Stroud Valley Arts, various locations, Stroud, Gloucestershire.
www.facebook.com/events/374697892961720

Winter Open Studios, London
As well as browsing the handmade wares of 12 ceramic artists and designers, such as ceramicsbytiz whose work is pictured above, wannabe ceramicists can have a go on the potter’s wheel throwing a piece of their own, which may be fired and collected at a later date – an enticing proposition, along with the mulled wine and mince pies.
2&3 December 2017, Glebe Road Studios, Haggerston, London E8.
www.a-n.co.uk/events/winter-open-studios-2

Christmas at the Mill, Salford
The vibrant and welcoming community of artists, makers and musicians at Islington Mill celebrate Christmas with market stalls, vegan food, mulled wine and live music. There’s the enticingly colourful and fun glazed stoneware by artist Aliyah Hussain, Pascal Nichols of 7 Spot Pottery’s outsider ceramics-inspired pottery, and costume designer Louisa Thomas’ embroidery and fabric works.
7 December 2017, 4-9pm, Islington Mill, James Street, Salford M3 5HW.
www.islingtonmill.com/events/christmas-at-the-mill-2017

TRS Lock-In, Liverpool
Why not take a break from shopping (or making) and get into full festive season with ‘an evening of pub games, grub and beverages’ that celebrates The Royal Standard’s public house origins. The artist-led studios and gallery are hosting a fundraiser, and alongside darts, dancing, bingo and a pub quiz the studio members have gifted a number of artworks – plenty of prizes to be pulled out of the stocking. Tickets include a glass of fizz.
8 December 2017, 6-11pm, The Royal Standard, Northern Lights, Cains, Brewery Village, 5 Mann Street, Liverpool L8 5AF.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trs-lock-in-tickets-40026590610?aff=eac2

DIY Art Market, London
Curated by artist Mark Farhall for Hackney Flea Market, over 100 emerging artists, alongside several more established artists, will be selling their wares, ranging from art prints and lo-fi sculptures, zines and artists’ books, through to textiles, ceramics and jewellery. There’s also a chance to try out screen printing. In the live screen printing space, members of the public will be able to choose from a range of designs and print their own tote bag or t-shirt.
9 December 2017, 11am-6pm, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.
www.diyartmarket.com/events

Independent Ceramics Market, London
Hackney Flea Market continues its festive activities with an event dedicated to the work of over 90 ceramicists and potters. Over four floors of Rich Mix, discover items such as tableware, vases, lamps, jewellery and sculpture by students, early career and more established makers.
10 December 2017, 11am-6pm, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.
www.diyartmarket.com/events

Ministry of Making Yule Events, London
This Christmas why not make your own gifts. Ministry of Making are hosting a number of workshops at their Artisan Christmas Craft Fair, ranging from Bling your Christmas Card (£3.50) with artist Joanne Tyler, to Leather Wallet Crafting (£35 with materials included) with Chanelle of Studio Nelle. Entry to the fair is free and there’ll be a number of stalls selling work by artists and makers.
Sunday 10 December 2017, 11am-6pm, Peckham Pelican, 92 Peckham Road, London SE15.
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ministry-of-making-artisan-christmas-craft-fair–tickets-38787202567#tickets

Winter Craft Market, Birmingham
For one evening in December, Ikon host a late night opening event to showcase a range of stalls, activities and demonstrations by independent Midlands-based artist-makers. There’ll also be a 20% discount on items from the Ikon Shop.
14 December 2017, 4-8pm, Ikon, Birmingham, 1 Oozells square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS.
ikon-gallery.org/event/winter-craft-market-2

Images:
1. Neill Clements, The North, 2017, oil on paper
2. Isabel Dickinson, Natures Blend Sponged Underglaze Bowl, 2017
3. Printland, Peacock Visual Arts.
4. ceramicsbytiz, Ornamental bowl, 2017
5. Winter Craft Market at Ikon, poster

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