What is the Online Art Trail?

Peninsula, Regis, City, Downs and Harbour Trails. Explore one Trail at a time, or hop around the Venues as you choose; our aim is to offer you the chance to enjoy the art and hospitality of our talented local artists for 5 days in May.
For 2020 only, we invite you to our Online Venues. We are open even now – you can visit our webpages any day you fancy!

• For the visitor, the Art Trail gives the annual occasion to plan days out to see all kinds of art in the making, talk to admired artists and to view and purchase original artwork. This year, it will be a virtual experience!
• For the artist, it is a well established framework of organisation and publicity that promotes and supports those who live and work in Chichester and surrounding areas. The Art Trail is an unparalleled opportunity to present work to an enthusiastic public in the inspiring context of the creative environment. Registration for the 2020 Trail has now closed – have a look at Join Us, ready to become part of the 2021 Trail.

Planning your own Trail

To help keep you informed about the artists exhibiting their work, and the locations of their studios, there are a number of resources available.

• The Trail Guide which you can pick up from the Oxmarket, the Novium, Chichester Library or in many other locations in Chichester from the end of March onwards. Its maps show Venue locations, giving you directions, so you can choose which artists to visit and plan your route. Each artist has a profile in the Guide, with an image and a brief description of the artwork you will find at the Venue. During 2020, when it is safe to distribute them, you will still find the Guides out and about – not as a Guide to the Trail, but as a directory to keep: A Guide to Art & Artists of Chichester & Surrounding Areas
• The Digital Trail Guide You can also download this from the website.

At the end of the Guide you have a map of the whole Trail, with a list of Artists by Venue. If you wish to view specific artists, you can look them up in the Alphabetical List of Artists at the front. Or, if you prefer particular sorts of art, there is an index of Artists by Category.

• Do some research here on the website. Every artist has a web page with examples of their work and an insight into their background and inspiration. Artists are listed alphabetically or by sector, and Venues are grouped according to category of work. You will find information about Chichester Open Studios Art Trail as a whole, adding a wider perspective to the art and practice of its participants.

Making art accessible to all

We hope you thoroughly enjoy wandering through our Online Art Trail

Feel free to contact artists and arrange a future date to visit. The website is also busy all year round, so you will always find information about our artists here.

The different styles and media are so interesting. The friendliness of the artists and the time they gave their visitors was lovely; their enthusiasm and skills amazing!

I love doing the Art Trail; it offers an opportunity to see old customers, meet new ones and make useful contacts. In a solitary occupation, it is a way to share my work and time with people.

What is an Open Studio?

An Open Studios Trail is an experience in itself. It offers the exciting invitation to see artists’ work in the context of its creation. Whilst there is an Online Trail for 2020, do look forward to the experience of visiting Trail Venues during the traditional first 2 weekends in May 2021.

• Art will be the focus; the walls and surfaces are buzzing with the creative dialogue that connects tools, materials and the details of making.
• The artist will be present to talk to you; visitors love to gain an insight into an artist’s working practice, adding the associations that bring the work to life.
• With work as varied and individual as each creator, there will be something to suit every taste and you will have opportunity to acquire original works of art.
• There will be plenty of time to browse. There may also be demonstrations, a chance to have a go yourself and gather information about artists’ events or courses.
• Some Venues will offer a cuppa and cake to add to the enjoyment of your experience.
• You’ll be sure to find inspiration or even the nudge that starts you on your own creative adventures!

Everyone is welcome and admission to all Venues is free.