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SOMERSET OPEN STUDIOS 2025 • 2 Somerset Open Studios 2025 Called ‘the best painter of the sea in these islands’ (Brian Fallon, Irish Times Chief Critic), Janette Kerr’s paintings are about rhythms of sea and wind, advancing rain and mist. janettekerr.co.uk David Parfitt creates both representational and experimental images of the Somerset landscape in watercolour and monochromatic monoprint. davidaparfittri.co.uk Somerset Open Studios Venue 143. Open 11am - 5pm. 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 September David A Parfitt RI Janette Kerr HonRSA, PPRWA It’s that time of year again when artists in Somerset open their homes and studios to collectors and enthusiasts. This year’s brochure kicks off with family potter SIMON EELES (venue 1). Here you’ll fi nd work in stoneware, porcelain and demonstrations of the remarkable alchemy that is raku fi ring. In Crewkerne you can fi nd painter EMILY QUINCE (venue 7) in her new studio on the main road through the town. New to Somerset, printmaker PAUL CLEDEN (venue 28) shows his fabulous prints, full of colour and movement. In Castle Cary at Cockhill Studios (venue 45) Slade School alumni BIDDY PEPPIN shows her intriguing painted metaphors alongside WILL VAUGHAN’s etchings and watercolours. LUSTRE (venue 53) celebrates 30 years of SAW with a collaborative show with Art for Life at Musgrove Hospital. Art for Life is the Creative Health programme working throughout Somerset Hospitals providing a positive environment for staff, patients and their visitors. Here artists re fl ect on what creativity means to them and how it bene fi ts their wellbeing. MICHAEL TARR and PHILIP DUDMAN (venue 63) are two established artists showing fi gurative paintings inspired by the natural world, geometry and mundane objects. JANE MOWAT (venue 73) in Waterrow works in natural wood for carving and printmaking. Inspired by fi gures and nature she also shows a selection of jewellery. In Exmoor you’ll fi nd JOHN HAILSTONE (venue 77), showcasing his love of trees through the medium of photography, exposed in monochrome and colour on canvasses and as prints. Earth, Pigment and Thread by JANE HOOD and EMMA LUMLEY (venue 78) is an exploration of the stories, energy, textures and patterns of landscape through the mediums of printmaking, pigments, textiles and clay. In Watchet there is the fabulous cultural hub EAST QUAY (venue 90) hosting contemporary art galleries, print studio, artist and maker studios full of excellent established artists, a paper mill, a restaurant, places to stay and an evolving events programme. Alongside is the ALBATROSS PRINT STUDIO (venue 91) with SUE LOWE’s layered monotypes and richly-textured collagraph prints and SARAH WARD’s bold, abstract multimedia works. SUPPLEMENT COVER: JANETTE KERR ‘SEA STATE FORCE 9 WAVES TOPPLING AND TUMBLING’ (VENUE 143) ALASTAIR AND FLEUR MACKIE (VENUE 54) The superb SHAVE FARM ARTISTS (venue 52) are exhibiting for the fi rst time without their founder ROWENA PEARCE, who died earlier this year. She was a true collaborative artist who embraced life, people and play. Kind and generous, she made Shave a sanctuary for many. Her work can still be seen at this artistic hub. CHRISTINE-ANN RICHARDS (VENUE 139)