Close-up of a metal mixing bowl with a wooden rolling pin and a pastry brush resting on top, on a white surface.

North East Open Studios

September 13-21 2025

Venue

House Of Leask
Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 8JX

We are returning with our autumnal exhibition as part of North East Open Studios. You’ll find us in your online app guide, or in the brochures. With a diverse range of creatives exhibiting their work, the NEOS event is a unique opportunity to meet and chat with individual artists, see their inspirations and working methods, and discover the wealth of talent we have in the north east of Scotland.

Open Studios events serves to engage wider audiences in all aspects of art to grow small-scale art and craft business in the north east of Scotland, and to provide a cohesive network of professional artists and makers.

Close-up of a person blending colors on a wooden painter's palette with a paintbrush, with an abstract painting in the background.

Spring Exhibition

1-4 May 2026
11 am - 4 pm

Venue

House Of Leask
Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 8JX

We are excited to be hosting our third Spring Exhibition in May 2025. Our painters and jewellers will be joined by guest artists in woodworking, ceramics, furniture and other fellow painters.

Meet our 2025 guest artists

  • Decorative wooden bowl with black and white patterned panels, placed on a glass surface.

    John Gerrard

    TURLUNDIE

    I worked as a self employed joiner until I retired and took up woodturning 14 years ago and am now a registered professional turner. I never ‘tire’ of opening my workshop door, switching on my lathe and crafting unique pieces from locally sourced wood. Sometimes the ugliest piece being the best! My favourite style of turning is to try and use as many of the natural features if at all possible. My pieces are bespoke and crafted to a professional standard. 

    Email: john@turlundie.com
    Website: www.turlundie.co.uk

  • Ceramic sculpture of two anthropomorphic rabbits standing on a cracked base, engaged in a playful fight, with elongated ears and detailed features.

    Carol Hiles

    CLOLA POTTERY

    I have dabbled on and off with clay since art class at school, but it is only since retiring and attending a week long sculpting course that it has become a passion.

    I work in a recently converted garage and have a well equipped workspace at Clola Pottery, that is shared with fellow hobby potters. My inspiration comes from my love of animals and nature.

    I started out making for friends and family, but in 2021 we were open for NEOS (north east open studios) at the pottery. It was very successful so we had a Winter Open studio too, and have continued to participate in NEOS. In 2022 I started exhibiting in galleries through the SPA. Most of my work is now for galleries or commissions.

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063503741644

  • A man with gray hair wearing a blue shirt is painting on a large canvas in a workshop filled with tools and supplies.

    Paul Ritchie

    PAUL RITCHIE ART

    My paintings employ the use of unconventional techniques to evoke a highly charged atmosphere.  I previously ran Manchester Etching Workshop and Two Rivers Paper Mill and my work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy on 13 occasions and is represented in over 20 public collections wordwide.

    Email: paulritchieart@gmail.com
    Webite: https://paulritchieart.com

  • Mixed media artwork on fabric featuring ocean and beach scenes with shells, driftwood, beads, and embroidery.

    Alison Milne

    I am a mixed media textile artist. My images are made up of multilayer fabrics and stitching to show the depth, colour and textures of nature. I paint or gelli print various kinds of fabrics, make ‘pebbles’ and ‘stonedykes’ and often incorporate natural found objects. I enjoy experimenting with different ideas and techniques often with a ‘what if’ approach.

    Email: alisonhbmilne@gmail.com
    Instagram:
    alisonmilnedesigns

  • Decorative stained glass artwork placed on a windowsill with a scenic view of a green yard outside. The artwork includes a bird in flight, a sunset or sunrise over hills, and a bouquet of red flowers in a glass vase.

    Malcolm Edwards

    GLASS ART

Meet our previous guest artists

  • A pair of amber-colored teardrop earrings in a black box, with a folded informational card and a black box with the Sward Designs logo on a gray fabric surface.

    Sue Ward

    SWARD DESIGNS

    My specialism is creating hand turned wooden bird sculptures and unique hand-crafted wooden jewellery. I use wood from trees native to the UK and Europe, including Scottish hardwoods such as Oak and Elm.

    Email: sward-designs@hotmail.com
    Website: www.swarddesigns.co.uk
    Instagram: @sward_designs

  • A colorful framed artwork with a house, green grass, and blue sky. The house has a stone facade, blue door, and a roof with the words "Together is my favorite place" written above. There is a decorative green glass item with daisies in the foreground.

    Cindy

    MOLTEN ELEMENTS

    It’s been a real journey and there is still so much more to learn and explore – I’m looking forward to what is still to come.

    Email: enquiries@moltenelements.co.uk
    Website: www.moltenelements.co.uk
    Facebook: MoltenElements
    Instagram: @moltenelementsglassart