Yorkshire


<p>Don’t you just love nosing behind the scenes of artists’ home studios, getting an intoxicating whiff of all that fresh paint? Well, now is your chance. York Open Studios returns for its annual community arts event on <strong>5, 6</strong>, <strong>12 &amp; 13 April</strong> from 10am – 5pm. Don’t turn down this invitation to drop in on artists’ studios and workshops within a 10-mile radius of the city centre and look out for some preview evenings on <strong>4 April</strong>, too.</p>



<p>Showcasing some of the best painters, craftsmen and makers, <a href="https://yorkopenstudios.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York Open Studios</a> encourages artists to literally open their doors to the curious among us, keen to not only to view finished artworks, but learn about the process. Disciplines include ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, painting and photography, as well as a Student Showcase. There may even be interactive demos and, of course, the chance to buy unique, handmade treasures.</p>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-1000-MorganWellsSmithNaomi3.jpg" alt="Morgan &amp; Wells handbag" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Morgan &amp; Wells</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Move over Mulberry – just look at this must-have handbag! Using traditional tools and techniques, leather artisan Naomi Wells Smith handcrafts a range of modern leather goods, as well as theatrical costumes for the worldwide stage. Her business focuses on high-quality, handmade leather goods, emphasising traditional craftsmanship and bespoke designs. Demonstrations are available throughout the event.</p><p>Betty Top Handle Bag, £330</p><p><a href="https://www.morganandwells.co.uk/leatherbagsandtotes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-1000-For-ducks-sake-GodfreyMurphy_Marc_3-1000x1000-1.jpg" alt="Marc Godfrey Murphy For Ducks Sake" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Marc Godfrey-Murphy</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>You’ve got to love an illustrator with a sense of humour. Marc Godfrey-Murphy’s tongue-in-cheek drawings decorate mugs, coasters and more. A former CBeebies animator, Marc works from his studio creating illustrations of various characters and York landmarks. You may already be &#8216;nuts&#8217; about his work as he was commissioned to design and create the York Christmas Nutcracker trail over the festive period.</p><p>Duck Illustration Print, £15.</p><p><a href="https://www.marcgodfrey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-1333-Carrie-Lyall-Linocut-Shambles-750x1000.jpeg.jpg" alt="Carrie Lyall" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Carrie Lyall</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>It won’t take long to recognise where Carrie finds inspiration for her linocut prints and greeting cards. Take this eye-catching cityscape of The Shambles, York, for example. Her work also features landscapes, botanicals and wildlife, hand-carved and hand-printed using locally sourced oil-based inks. She’ll happily show you how she does it if you want to pop in.</p><p>York Streets Greeting Cards, £8.</p><p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/roseandhen/?etsrc=sdt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-875-Nott-front-door-9a.jpg" alt="Door panel Anna Southeran" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Ann Sotheran</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Having completed five years at York Art School, then work experience with stained glass expert Harry Harvey FMGP, Ann chose to specialise in stained glass and eventually set up her own studio workshop. She now designs and makes stained glass to commission for private houses, churches and other buildings, as well as free-hanging panels for special gifts or just to enjoy. Demonstrations are available on request.</p><p>Prices vary.</p><p><a href="https://annsotheran.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-750-McIntosh-Alasdair-York-Minster.jpg" alt="Alasdair McIntosh York Minster" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Alasdair McIntosh</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Landscape and architectural photographer Alasdair creates stunning images in dramatic weather conditions and unique light. After buying his first camera as a child he has been snapping professionally for over 15 years, with a particular interest in long exposures. His work takes him across the UK and often to York, where he lives with his wife and family.</p><p>Prices vary.</p><p><a href="https://amcintosh.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/800-x-800-crop-Philips-Penny-800x1000-1.jpg" alt="Penny Philips dog sculpture" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Penny Phillips</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>A contemporary sculptor, artist and teacher based in York, Penny explores British wildlife and the nature of species loss, conveying the beauty, fragility and vulnerability of her subject matter. She creates pieces using a limited colour palette and strives to retain the raw nature of clay with heavily textured surfaces. Preview evening on <strong>4 April</strong>.</p><p>Prices vary.</p><p><a href="https://pennyphillips.art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/1000-x-1000-chairs.jpg" alt="chairs Marcus Jacka" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Marcus Jacka</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Originally from Australia, Marcus trained as a scientist and first came to York to take up a research position at the university. He became a full-time woodworker 20 years ago and produces fine design, hand-crafted furniture, lighting and turned objects. Preview evening on <strong>4 April</strong>.</p><p>Prices vary.</p><p><a href="https://non-standard.co.uk/">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/03/Warrington.-Jacqueline-1-1000x1000.jpeg.jpg" alt="Jacqueline Warrington jewellery" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Jacqueline Warrington</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Working in gold, silver and precious stones to produce her own range of jewellery and larger silverware, Jacqueline also makes silver ‘pictures’ using the technique of chasing and repoussé. She first started working for a jewellery designer aged just 16 and went on to study at both Bradford and Sheffield art colleges. Jacqueline has now been in business for over 40 years and takes on specialist commissions for both jewellery and larger silversmithing pieces.</p><p>Prices vary.</p><p><a href="https://yorkopenstudios.co.uk/artist/warrington/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy now</a></p></div></div></div></div>


York Open Studios is back with an open-door invitation to drop in

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