2023 will be my first South East Open Studios as Chair and I am delighted to be playing just a small part in it.
 
I am also fortunate to be working with such an enthusiastic and effective team that makes this wonderful event happen each year, giving their time and expertise to champion the work of artists and makers throughout the south east.
 
If you've been part of SEOS before, we look forward to welcoming you to SEOS 2023 and if you're new to the prospect of participating, we would be thrilled if you would like to take part.
 
SEOS 2023 is a unique opportunity to bring your work to the attention of your local community and people from outside your area who may be visiting to see what wonderful art and craft is being created. You will also appear in our Guide and on our website at seos-art.org and be part of a growing, thriving and supportive community of creatives.
 
Now, more than ever, we need to find ways to celebrate creativity and the work that's being produced in our region. Please join with us and other artists and makers to be a part of SEOS 2023!

SEOS 2023 will start on Friday 2 June 2023 and run through to Sunday 18 June 2023 - please add the dates to your diary, calendar, electronic organiser or whatever else you may use. 
 
This will give every artist and maker who participates three full weekends and eleven weekdays in the glorious June sunshine in which to welcome visitors and showcase work.

The cost of participation in SEOS 2023 for artists and makers is £148 per person. This represents great value for the support that will be received and the opportunities created by taking part. The rise on last year reflects unavoidable increased costs, specifically relating to printing the Guide. We’ve done the maths, and are confident the extra £13 per registration will enable another successful year.
 
It may seem strange to be focusing on the summer right now, especially as the weather is deteriorating, the days shortening and the news worsening, but SEOS 2023 is on its way, the momentum is starting to build and it'll be with us much, much sooner than we think!

If you are interested in joining a diverse mix of artists and makers who'll be opening up and showcasing their work in homes, studios, workshops and galleries throughout Kent and East Sussex, please carefully read the pre registration information available on the website link here and start preparing the materials you need.
 
Registration is open from Sunday 1 January 2023 to Tuesday 31 January 2023 - make signing up one of your new year resolutions!
 
 
Three reasons to sign up

Everyone participating in South East Open Studios 2023 will benefit in the following ways:
 

• Your details and a picture of your work will appear in the SEOS 2023 Guide, with up to 30,000 copies of this high quality publication distributed throughout the South East
• You will have your own 'Artist's Page' featuring your work and details of where it can be seen on the SEOS website, which had more than 10,000 unique visits during the 2022 event
• You will be featured on SEOS pages on the SEOS social media pages, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, which had a reach of around 93,000 in the lead up to, and during the SEOS 2022 event

For the first time we will be hosting a Space Share Notice Board on our website. If anyone is thinking of taking part but doesn’t have appropriate space, or if you have space and need another artist/maker, or if you are thinking of putting together a collaborative ‘show’ please use this Notice Board to get connected.
 
SEOS is run by volunteers, we put effort into driving marketing and publicity from the centre to ensure the event is a success … but we can’t do it alone. Each member is responsible for advertising their own events on a local level – getting Guides into the hands of potential visitors, making yourself SEEN in your neighbourhood, connecting with your community. We will provide you with the materials and know-how. Make sure you have signed up to our mailing list link here and are following on social media @seopenstudios for top tips.

ACO for Ashford - Jude Askey Brown
(Photo by Louisa Bedford)

We are indebted to our SEOS Area Co-ordinators (ACOs) – these are the artists and makers who are so supportive of this annual event that they have put themselves forward to help connect creatives in their local areas. They provide a critical point of contact between the committee and the regions, give advice and support and are the distribution point for Guides in May.
 
If you would like to join this enthusiastic group, please contact us – we are still looking for support in the following areas: Bromley, Canterbury, Deal, Hastings, Heathfield, Maidstone, Rye and Wadhurst. We are a supportive group, everyone does what they can, it is a great way to connect with other artists and makers and put a little back into this terrific organisation that needs YOU!
 
Are you an artist and maker in East Sussex? We are looking at expanding our borders to include Wealden District, Lewes, Eastbourne, Tandridge and Mid Sussex … please make contact if you would like to take part in these areas so we can gauge interest. If you would like to connect with your local ACO, let us know and we can hook you up!

Make sure to follow us on social media @seopenstudios and let us know if you would like to be featured in our next newsletter by emailing marketing@seos-art.org