Michael Fabricant launched "Open Studios" on Friday night (22nd July) at Lichfield Cathedral featuring an unrivalled selection of paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, glass and jewellery, on display from a selection of over 36 of the best Staffordshire artists and craftworkers. He said "Down South, Staffordshire is unknown. Many do not know where it is and most think of it as the Black Country or The Potteries. They do not think of our County as a place of rolling hills and ancient churches. They certainly do not imagine that our County is the home of a wealth of creative talent. We have an unsurpassed tradition of inspiration and creativity with ceramics, fine china, crystal glass, distinctive ales and historic waterways! I am proud that we continue this tradition today with a network of leading contemporary artists and craftspeople whose work is celebrated in this exhibition. Staffordshire Open Studios in September is also an ideal way to promote our Creative County nationally and to get an insight into the inspiration and sheer hard work that artists undertake in their own studios to produce original arts and crafts. The exhibition in Lichfield Cathedral is open from 22 July – 14th August 2005 and entry is free."

These artists will also be opening their private studios to the public in September/October as part of Staffordshire Open Studios 2005 and inviting them to see first hand, the inspiration, techniques and skills behind the production of original and innovative works of art. Entry to studios is Free and everyone is welcome

A selection of the 36 selected Open Studios artists will be exhibiting at the Cathedral, at all stages of their careers.

Artists exhibiting at Lichfield Cathedral July/August include;

* Deb Walker – watercolours
* Clare Charlesworth – glass jewellery
* Rita Banks – painting
* David Culshaw – painting
* Gillian Mc Millan – ceramics
* Brian Steventon -painting
* Claire Straiton sculpture –
* Michael Goodrum glass – and many more…….

Details of all artists exhibiting at Lichfield Cathedral and in the September Open Studios are contained within the Open Studios Guide 2005-6. This free 40-page colour guide lists the Open Studios dates and venues with a comprehensive Artists directory listing over 100 individuals, galleries, art suppliers, groups and societies and an arts events calendar to 2006.

Staffordshire Open Studios is funded by the Arts Council and was established by a group of local artists in 2002 as a showcase for the creative talent within the County. It gives the public the chance to visit what would normally be private studios, many based within the artists home. This year over four weekends in September and October, Staffordshire artists and craftspeople will be opening the doors of the studios and inviting you to step inside. Take advantage of this free event to meet the artists in their workplace, see pieces of original artwork being created and gain an insight into the inspiration behind the work.

More than 36 selected artists across the county are taking part at all stages of their careers. Covering Stoke,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stafford, Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent areas.

Photograph shows Michael Fabricant (complete with artist’s beret and
palette) with (left) Stacey Harvey-Brown, Chairman of Open Studios and Deb
Walker (right), who recently scooped the top London Prize from the Royal
Watercolour Society. Stacey Harvey-Brown was the founder of Staffordshire
Open Studios in 2002 and is herself an award wining textiles artist.