Joanne Lamb
Saturday, 21 September 2024 - Saturday, 26 October 2024
The Art Workers' Guild, 6 Queen Square
11am - 5pm
This year for the Open House Festival, we will offer tours of our Georgian building at 6 Queen Square in the heart of Bloomsbury, led by the Guild's Honorary Architect, Simon Hurst. Also on show will be an exhibition ‘Creative Connections’ showcasing work by participants of our newly launched initiative of the same name. Creative Connections aims to provide space and support for creative people who are beginning to establish themselves professionally.
The exhibition is open to the public on Saturday 21 September, and there will be tours of the building on the same day. We will also be hosting a closing event on Saturday 26 October. Between these two events the exhibition will be open by appointment only.
Creative Connections is a year-long programme which creates a space for creative people who are beginning to establish themselves professionally. Programme participants meet and connect with Guild members, build supportive networks with each other and develop their professional practice.
The programme includes hands-on workshops, talks, discussions and social events - all opportunities to connect with other creative people to share insights and ideas, encourage each other and navigate the challenges of sustaining a career.
Visit the exhibition to gain insights into this new initiative, and explore the specialist skills involved in furniture design, millinery, stone and wood carving, letterpress, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and much more.
The exhibition will open to the public on Saturday 21 September, 11am – 5pm, to coincide with the Open House Festival, and will continue by appointment until Saturday 26 October. On the final day, we will be open to the public before the exhibition is closed at 5pm.
Read more about our exhibitors here.
The Art Workers’ Guild was founded in 1884 by young architects and designers who wanted to create a meeting place for the fine arts and the applied arts on an equal footing. Many of the prominent figures of the Arts and Crafts Movement were active members of the Guild and its principle of ‘learning by doing’ soon spread through art education and had a worldwide influence.
The Art Workers’ Guild today is a unique body of more than 400 artists, craftspeople, architects, and academics working at the highest levels of excellence in their professions. We represent over 60 creative disciplines, including sculptors, architects, textile artists, potters, graphic designers, glass engravers, jewellers, furniture makers and printers. We are a registered charity that advances education in all the visual arts and crafts by means of lectures, meetings, demonstrations, and discussions.
The Guild's home consists of a Grade ll* listed 18th century London town house, linked by a newly refurbished courtyard to the lecture hall, seating 100 and built in 1914 in what was the garden. Designed by F. W. Troup, the hall is a fine example of Arts and Crafts design. It houses portraits and sculptures of the Guild's Masters from its foundation to the present day.
We are offering tours of the building given by the Guild's Honorary Architect, Simon Hurst.
This is a free event and tours will take place at 12 pm and 2pm.
Booking for the tours is essential.
Please see the Open House London website for more details and how to book.