Winter Open Studios - Wimbledon Art Studios

3:03pm Thursday 29th November 2007

It is an unlikely place to go hunting for art - down behind the rubbish bins and warehouses of a south London industrial estate.

But that is where Wimbledon Art Studios lives. And what's more, it is now the largest complex of its kind in London, thanks to a swanky new purpose-built workspace that ups its capacity to 163 artists.

The Blue Studios building - so called for its bold, colourful cladding - has risen from the concrete like a ship from the waves and now stands resplendent in shiny metal and eco-friendly wood, adding 50 extra rooms to the studios that businessman Nigel Holman first set up 14 years ago.

Art-lovers can get on board this weekend at the 24th Winter Open Studios show, where artists ranging in age from 22 to 80 will showcase and sell their paintings, ceramics, sculptures, textiles, fashion, prints, illustrations and furniture design.

More than 2,500 visitors are expected to attend the show, including several art buyers and critics. But members of the public are just as welcome to mingle with the artists - and pick up a Christmas present or two into the bargain.

Fine art photographer Adrienne Burne says: "The Open Studio events are very well run and good fun, and a valuable opportunity for sales and feedback from people. I have moved from the warehouse to the new studios so I am very excited about the show."

Winter Open Studios, Wimbledon Art Studios, 10 Riverside Yard, Riverside Road, Earlsfield, Nov 29-Dec 2, Thur/Fri 2-10pm, Sat/Sun 11am-6pm, 020 8947 1183, wimbledonartstudios.co.uk

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