What’s On: Meet six amazing artists taking part in Cambridge Open Studios

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Cambridge Open Studios – which boasts a thriving community of more than 500 artists – unveils its biggest and best festival yet this July. Louise Cummings peers inside five studios. . .

Artist: David Bennison

Specialism: Ethereal dreamscapes, metaphors and existential narratives

About: David studied illustration at the Cambridge School of Art and his current artwork explores the various compositional possibilities of curvilinear perspective. David began creating oil paintings to translate dream meanings and symbology into a visual language. However, his work has since evolved to express the existential struggles of humanity in a light-hearted way. David's current work typically intertwines ethereal imagery, metaphors, and existential narratives to create intangible compositions that connect and flow seamlessly between canvases. David is influenced by a variety of artists and themes, including Piranesi's architectural drawings, M.C. Escher’s graphic art and the illustrations of Paul Hess.

Where: The Box Café, 47 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LD

When: July 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28

More at bennisonart.com or Instagram @bennison.art

Artist: Esther Montero

Specialism: Textile arts

About: Esther works predominantly with fabric collage and hand embroidery, using repurposed fabrics from old clothing, linens and furnishing materials. She is currently exploring how to combine the colour, pattern and texture of the fabrics, with different textile and embroidery techniques to create unusual contemporary portraits. They sometimes tell a story and often capture a moment in time, but always aim to engage the viewer and make them want to look closer. She has also created textile interpretations of her favourite paintings over the years, from artists such as Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modigliani and Johannes Vermeer.

Where: 3 Sovereign Way, Cottenham, Cambridge, CB24 8XR

When: July 6-7, 13-14, 20-21

More at camopenstudios.org on Instagram @ silverlocks_and_threads

Artist: Nicholas Juett

Specialism: Painting

About: Nicholas’s previous artwork explored the ongoing impact of the discovery of his namesake Robert Juett’s extraordinary journey and journal of 1609, written during his voyage with Henry Hudson, seeking the elusive Northwest Passage on the River Hudson. ‘I’ve pictorially presented in oil and charcoal up until 2019. This body of work still remains embedded in my new 2023 Battersea Power Station paintings with The Half Moon ship. I’ve set this painting series to evoke environmental visual statements alongside The Backs of Cambridge Universities. It’s political. Come and meet who is or who is not behind this.’ You’ll be struck by the vibrant and colourful abstract brushstrokes that adorn the walls. The paintings are a beautiful fusion of hues and shapes, each one telling a unique story.

Where: 96 King Street, Cambridge, CB1 1LN

When: July 6-7, 13-14, 20-21

More at camopenstudios.org

Artist: Liz Hartley

Specialism: Printmaking

About: Liz is a fine art printmaker who draws on the rural landscapes, natural forms and the colour around her. She likes to work in a variety of print media, but particularly enjoys linocut and working with plant material in monoprints or photolithography. She won a prize for the best 2d work at the Uttlesford Open in Saffron Walden and her work was selected for exhibition at the International Original Print exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London.

Where: 3 Church Path, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JZ

When: July 13-14, 20-21, 27-28

More at camopenstudios.org

Artists: Rebecca Dawson and Stefanie Loizou

Specialism: Handmade silver, gold and semi-precious stone jewellery (Rebecca) and multi-media and collage, using vintage book illustrations, material, beads, gold leaf and wire (Stefanie)

About: Rebecca started her artist journey with a foundation in fashion and textiles then completed a degree in Design Crafts in 1998. After working in another jeweller’s studio for a few years she went solo, making jewellery alongside raising a family. Inspired by the materials she uses, architecture and the natural world Rebecca makes a wide range of easy to wear jewellery alongside stunning statement pieces and commissions.

Stefanie works mainly in book-art which involves cutting and manipulating books, embellishing illustrations and transforming them into pieces of art. Miniature worlds explode from the page bringing the story to life, thus preserving the tale and capturing its essence. I often work within the realm of fairy-tales and began delving back into my childhood at Norwich School of Art and Design in 1997. There, I explored famous stories such as Alice in Wonderland through different materials and techniques. Nature is also a constant influence in my work and ephemeral objects such as a bird’s nest or the fragile skeleton of a leaf inspire me with their ethereal beauty.

Where: 184 Cromwell Road, Cambridge, CB1 3EQ

When: July 1-3, 6-7, 20-21

More on Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccadawsonjewellery and Stefanie @stefanieloizou

Cambridge Open Studios will see artists across the region, working in specialisms from ceramics and glass art to woodwork and photography, open their studios each weekend of July. To view the full line-up, visit camopenstudios.org