Artists are putting the final touches to their workplaces and studios – as York Open Studios 2026 gets ready to welcome visitors from this weekend.
Celebrating Yorkshire based artists, York Open Studios is set to run within a 10 mile radius of the city of York from Saturday and Sunday 18 – 19 April and 25 – 26 April.
The popular annual event is an opportunity to gain a sneak peek into where the artists’ work, their methods and inspirations, and a chance to add to your collection or discover an emerging artist.
York Open Studios has something for everyone – from traditional and contemporary painting and print, illustration, drawing and ceramics, mixed media, glass and sculpture, jewellery, textiles and photography.
This year, 27 artists new to YOS will be exhibiting and showing their work.
Charmian Ottaway, committee member and contemporary designer jeweller says: “As an artist myself, I just love to show visitors how I work and also hear what they might be looking for.
“As artists, we are all very proud of what we produce and hearing visitors’ responses and find potential buyers can be really uplifting especially if you often work alone and don’t directly meet your buyers. For visitors, it’s also a unique chance to see the city with pops of creativity along the way.”
Regular artists such as wire and paper sculptor Joanna Coupland, linocut printmaker Michelle Hughes and textile artist Jacqueline James will help you build your collection, or visitors can seek out something entirely new with artists such as photographer Marcus Chapman, upcycle jewellers The Spoonery and painter Prachi Bhatnagar, who are new to YOS.
To find out more about York Open Studios and to see the full list and interactive map of participating artists, visit their website here.
Alternatively, a free printed directory is available from various tourist hubs and artist locations throughout the city of York and the wider city region.
