Visitors to Wembley Park, the London neighbourhood that’s bursting with creativity and artistic flair, will enjoy a rare peek into the creative process of artists, makers and designers on Saturday 5th October 2024. Between 11am and 6pm, Second Floor Studios & Arts will open the doors of its individual, purpose-built studios in Wembley Park to the public.

The Open Studios event is an opportunity to meet Wembley Park’s creatives and talk about their studio practice, view work, and buy items directly, with no commission on any sales. Visitors are invited to purchase or commission bespoke artworks, new items of clothing, or learn a new skill by attending a workshop. The series of workshops will add to the creative atmosphere by encouraging visitors of all ages to take part in a creative activity. The hour-long workshops will include fluid life drawing, tote bag screen printing, animal portraits and clay pinch pots. There will also be a session on collage and zine, and an exploration of imaginative drawing through mark-making. Workshops are bookable in advance via the website.

Entry to the Open Studios event is free, with visitors able to take a relaxed stroll through the friendly studios located in the heart of Wembley Park, just 12 minutes from central London. The artists, designers and makers will showcase a diverse range of work, including painting, drawing, fashion, sculpture and ceramics. Artist Karen David, fashion designer Badra Cherfi, photographer Amanda Rose, painter Liesa Bacchus, ceramic artist Rula Sayegh and fine artist Laxmi Hussain are among the dozens of creatives who benefit from these affordable, high quality studio spaces.

Many of the artists have deep-rooted connections with Wembley Park’s cultural offering. The neighbourhood is known for its free public Art Trail, which hosts a mix of permanent pieces and temporary installations across the urban landscape. Laxmi Hussain’s work featured on the concrete Wembley Splay steps in 2022 as part of the ‘Figures of Change’ exhibition. Blending ethereal elegance with geometric precision, her ‘Landscapes of Women’ celebrated the female form and the diversity of women throughout the local area.

“Wembley Park is steadily becoming a vibrant hub for culture and creativity, and we are privileged to be offering such talented artists a space to create. Many have worked with us to enrich the neighbourhood, with their artworks showcased along the Wembley Park Art Trail. This event provides visitors with a rare opportunity to engage with the artists’ creative processes and, perhaps, discover a new skill through their free art workshops.”

Claudio Giambrone, Head of Cultural Programming, Wembley Park

Wembley Park is home to 26 studios at present. The studio set-up is an innovative approach to creating inspiring artistic spaces at affordable rates, thanks to the partnership between Wembley Park and Second Floor Studios & Arts. An additional 30 studios will open near White Horse Square from Spring 2025, taking the total number of artists accommodated to over 80.

“High-quality, affordable, long-term studio space is crucial to the continuing evolution and success of London’s creative ecosystem. We are pleased to provide this opportunity for the public to discover the myriad ways in which studio spaces are used, to see how the studios contribute to the community of Wembley Park – and to be inspired by the diverse work of artists, designers and makers in the local area.”

Nichole Herbert Wood, CEO, Second Floor Studios & Arts