How do open studio events work?

Open studio events allow artists to welcome visitors into the spaces where their work is made. They can be organised by one artist for a single day, by a studio building over a weekend, or as part of a larger city-wide event involving many artists across different locations.

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Open studio vs gallery visit

The experience is different from a gallery visit. A gallery usually presents finished work in a clean, edited environment.

A studio gives you more context. You may see finished pieces alongside works in progress, materials, sketches, tools, experiments and older pieces that show how the practice has developed.

The artist is usually present, which is one of the most valuable parts of the format. You can ask about the work, the materials, the ideas behind a piece, what is available, whether commissions are possible and how the artist approaches their practice. You do not need to know anything about art, it's very informal.

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IRL (in real life) art discovery

Open studio events are also useful for discovering artists who are not easy to find online.

A city-wide event such as Birmingham Open Studios, or similar events in other UK regions, often provides a catalogue of participating artists. That catalogue can be used during the event and afterwards as a way to keep following artists you liked.

Work is often available to buy directly from the studio. Sometimes there are originals, studies, works on paper, prints or smaller pieces that are not always shown elsewhere.

This can make open studios a good entry point for people who want to buy local art but don't know where to start, or are not ready to spend thousands on a big piece.

The best approach is to let your curiosity lead the way and to trust your instincts.

Visit several studios, take notes, collect cards, follow the artists whose work stays with you and return to the ones that keep your attention.

Open studios are not only shopping events. They are a way to understand the living culture of a place through the people actively making work there.

David Roman’s studio will be open to visitors during the Birmingham Open Studios event in September 2026, and individual visits can also be arranged upon request.