Please note - Artist Registrations for IWOS 2026 closed on Sunday 1 February 2026, midnight. More information will be available later this year on how to take part in IW Open Studios 2027.

The annual IW Open Studios event will take place over 11 days from Friday 15th May to 25th May 2026. Artists can select what dates they will open their studios during this period. Standard opening times are 11am-4pm unless otherwise stated.

The Isle of Wight has a huge community of artists spread across all four corners of our beautiful Island. To make sure both visitors and artists get the most out of IW Open Studios, we've mapped out four areas - North & Central, East, South, and West Wight, with Area Reps assigned to each section to help guide you and be your point of contact. To find out more about our Area Reps, click here.

Registered artists can log in by heading to the 'Members Area'. All registered artists have access to their own web profile page all year round, where you can edit your content, images, galleries and add events and exhibitions outside of the IW Open Studios event - which will be publicaly available on our calendar page. It's a brilliant tool - giving you essentially a mini website with maximum exposure.

Don't forget to check out our FAQs page which is regulary updated.

Isle of Wight Open Studios offers artists a unique platform to showcase their work and connect with the public in an intimate setting. As well as being an opportunity to sell your creations direct to the buyer, here are some other reasons why participating in Isle of Wight Open Studios can be beneficial to you and your work:

Exposure & visibility: Isle of Wight Open Studios provides artists with the opportunity to showcase their work to a diverse audience, including art enthusiasts, collectors, critics, and potential buyers. Opening up your studio increases visibility and recognition for your work, both locally and beyond. The event attracts attention from local media outlets and encourages visitors to share their experiences on social media, amplifying your reach.

Community engagement & networking: Participating in Isle of Wight Open Studios fosters a sense of community among local artists and art enthusiasts. It allows creatives to engage with their local community, network with fellow artists, and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the Island. New connections can lead to collaborative opportunities, exhibition invitations, and sales.

Direct feedback: Interacting directly with studio visitors at Isle of Wight Open Studios provides artists with invaluable feedback and insight into how their work is perceived. This feedback helps artists understand their audience, inform their artistic and business choices, and support their future creative development.

Personal connection with audiences: Isle of Wight Open Studios offers artists the chance to connect with audiences on a personal level, inviting them into their private space and offering a unique insight into their artistic process. Building genuine connections through real conversation can turn curious visitors into future buyers, with the opportunity for direct sales from the comfort of the studio.

Market research opportunity: Isle of Wight Open Studios serves as a fantastic market research opportunity for artists to gauge public interest in their work. Observing which creations spark sales and resonate with visitors provides valuable insights that can shape and refine artistic direction.

Showcasing creative processes: Beyond showcasing finished artworks, Isle of Wight Open Studios encourages artists to open their creative processes to the world through demos, workshops, and talks. Hosting these activities not only provides insight into the artist's process but also attracts more visitors to the studio, enriching their understanding and connection with the work.

Don't miss the chance to participate in IW Open Studios and unlock these exciting opportunities for artistic growth and engagement.