Kingston Artists’ Open Studios (KAOS) is a group of professional and experienced artists living and working in the Kingston area. Our unfunded group was set up in 2010 to raise the profile of and broaden access to the visual arts in Kingston. Since then we have built up a diverse membership of artists and makers working out of their own spaces in and around the borough. 2019 has already been a busy year with members exhibiting in Kingston’s twin town Oldenburg, Cologne, Venice – including the Biennale, Bermondsey, Mayfair and Richmond.

Our main event is the annual Open Studios in Kingston, when local artists open their homes and studios to the public for two weekends every June. We have come a long way since our first year, 2011, when just ten artists exhibited. This year 90 artists and makers will show their work in 26 venues across Kingston on 8, 9, 15 and 16 June.

Last year, for the first time we held a ‘Print Kingston’ day in Eden Walk. On a beautiful sunny day the young and old alike experimented with drawing and printing iconic views of Kingston. Everyone had a great time – some discovering a talent they never knew they had, some engaging with art for the first time and some rediscovering a love of art. We will hold another ‘Print Kingston’ on 1 June, and everyone is welcome.

To further encourage the arts we run the annual Young KAOS art competition for young people aged 16-19 years. Young creative students are the future lifeblood of our vibrant art community and this is evident in the high quality submissions that we receive each year.

I am Membership Secretary of KAOS and we welcome applications to join. We have just upgraded our website www.kingstonartistsopenstudios.co.uk, where visitors can apply, find out more about the group or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

info@kingstonartistsopenstudios.co.uk