In 1994 a group of Somerset artists initiated an open studio festival as a way of making contact with other artists in the county and promoting their work directly to the public. It was such a success that there has been a regular Somerset Art Weeks festival ever since. In 2000 SAW Ltd was set up to provide a permanent organisational structure and in 2007 the decision was made by SAW members to turn the festival into an annual two-weekly event with an alternating focus of Open Studios and Exhibitions and Events Festival year.

Somerset Open Studios & Art Weeks Events

Somerset Open Studios and Art Weeks Events are annual countywide celebrations of the variety and quality of contemporary visual art and craft that can be found in Somerset.

Since the inception of Somerset Art Weeks in 1994, they have become important events in Somerset’s cultural calendar, delighting art lovers near and far.

Each year alternates between Open Studios and Exhibitions + Events.

The 2019 Somerset Art Weeks Festival saw over 80,000 visitors engage with art and creativity across 135 venues throughout Somerset.