About

Parndon Mill Open Studios Weekend

Part of Essex Summer of Art ENAS events

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2019
10 am - 5 pm both days.
Admission free, but donations welcome.

In this idyllic setting, over twenty studios offer an insight into the creative process and the opportunity to participate.

An amazing diversity of talent and skills are nurtured at Parndon Mill and will be on view during this year's event. In addition to the fine arts of painting and sculpture, craftwork in glass, textiles, calligraphy, guitar making, ceramics, jewellery, printing and metalwork can be seen here this weekend. There will also be an insight into architectural skills and the work of graphic and product designers. The artists, craftspeople and designers will talk about their work and demonstrate their techniques. There will also be opportunities to “have a go” at some of the crafts. Glass blowing is especially exciting and can result in taking away a bauble or a vessel.

Following past successes, in the Art Play Tent for children, Deana Kim Page will invite every child of any age to join her ART ANGELS to express themselves creatively. This year she will introduce working with clay. 

It will be a privilege to listen to Richard Ove Stokkereit playing one of David Rouse's classical guitars in his studio from time to time during the weekend.

Examples of the work of most of the participating artists will be exhibited in The Project Space on the ground floor and will hopefully tempt viewers to make the climb to the top floor of the mill.

The exhibition in The Gallery, Homage, presents work by artists attending the painting and drawing sessions led by Roger Jeffs in the Project Space at Parndon Mill. They have investigated, deconstructed, interpreted and reworked paintings by great artists of the past, creating a celebration of, and a thoughtful tribute to our shared art history!

Refreshments including a barbecue and home made cakes will be available throughout the weekend.

Last year's Open Studios weekend was one of the most successful to date, with 800 visitors in total. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the 288 kind people who filled in visitor experience questionnaires. This is crucial for Essex arts development, and also so helpful to us in delivering a better experience for the future. Responses to the event were overwhelmingly positive, and it was wonderful to see visitors relax by the canal after finishing the trail of over 20 different artist's studios. Here are just a few of the many comments we received:

'This is the most inspirational place in Harlow.'
'Fantastic! Exciting and creative work happening so wonderful for the local community to be able to share it & be inspired.' 
'This is a wonderful day. The studios are beautiful and inspirational. My two children (4 & 7) were very interested. The artists and craftspeople all spoke to them with enthusiasm.'
'We've had a fantastic afternoon, looking at beautiful objects and speaking to very talented and friendly artists. Thank you!'
'Amazing diversity! We did not know you existed! An interesting 'venue' in its own right'
'Fantastic opportunity to experience the wealth of arts and creativity in your local area.'
'Excellent selection of creative arts & crafts. Hoping to join a few classes and workshops.'
'We love the opportunity to introduce the children to such a wide range of arts.'
'Beautiful setting. Important art and business base for local businesses, adding tremendous value to Harlow.'
'I liked the drawing tent' (Ben, aged 4). 'I liked doing the clay and the colouring' (Fred, aged 8).