Winter Open Studios
Art lovers and festive shoppers are being invited to step inside the creative sanctuaries of North Yorkshire’s finest talent this winter, as one of the UK’s largest open-studio events returns.
, Winter Open Studios gives visitors the rare chance to explore the hidden spaces where art comes to life, meet the creators and discover one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.
Organised by artist-run collective North Yorkshire Open Studios (NYOS), it will showcase a wide variety of styles, media and subjects, as well as locations – which range from a former sawmill in the Dales to courtyard garden.
The event is designed to suit all types of visitors, from those planning to visit just a few studios to people planning a pre-Christmas weekend break in North Yorkshire.
Winter Open Studios is the final event in a year-long programme organised by NYOS in 2026, with the aim of celebrating and raising the profile of the region’s artistic talent.
Garth Bayley, Project Manager at NYOS who will be opening his own studio to the public, said: “Winter Open Studios is about connecting people with the people behind the art. There’s something incredibly special about buying a Christmas gift directly from the person who made it, right in the space where it was created.
“This weekend is a fantastic opportunity to explore our stunning region, meet incredibly talented makers and find truly unique pieces that you won’t see anywhere else.”
Artists include:
Lisa Skelton, from Scarborough: A textile artist specialising in wild animals and pets, Lisa uses fabric and embroidery to recreate images of birds and wild creatures set in their natural environment.
Keith Dickinson, from Lothersdale: Keith is inspired by the architecture and landscape of Great Britain to make work with linoprint and Japanese woodcut, plus drypoint and etching.
Frances Tabbernor, from Harrogate: Inspired by walks in nature, Frances paints landscapes alive with memory, water and sky. Her work has featured on the BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee.
Elise Bikker, from Chapel Haddlesey, near York: An artist/writer exploring how we humanise machines, teaching them to simulate empathy and love while dismissing human relationships formed through screens as “unreal”.
A full list of artists and locations can be found on the NYOS website at https://nyos.org.uk/winter-open-studios.
