Artists set to welcome visitors for Open Studios North Fife 2026

Open Studios North Fife returns for its 21st year offering a celebration of creative talent in the area which stretches from Strathmiglo to St Andrews and from Tayport to Star of Markinch.

The popular event runs over three days from Saturday, May 2 to Monday, May 4 with artists opening their doors from 10am to 5pm.

Entry is free and the variety of skills and techniques means there is plenty to discover including pottery, jewellery, metalwork, felting, textiles, photography, baskets, upholstery and glass.

Alana Peden, jeweller and ceramicist based at East Nook Studio in St Andrews and co-chair of the Open Studios North Fife volunteer committee, said: “We really have the most amazing mix of talent and skill within this stunningly beautiful part of Fife.

“As volunteers, we put in a lot of time to organise this event and could not do it without the support of St Leonards School, The Arts Society Fife, Howe Beer Project and Rotary Howe of Fife as well as several local businesses who all help to ensure that we can make it happen.”

As well as regular participants in the annual event, there are a number of newcomers opening their doors for the first time this year.

Among them is Henry Broadhurst, winner of The Howe of Fife Rotary Club Bursary Award 2026 who works with local reclaimed wood to make stunning pieces.

Based in Monimail, Henry said: “I was very grateful to receive the Emerging Artist award and am loving the extra motivation and focus that the deadline is giving me.”

Another first-timer is Pete Glen in Tayport, who after a career in community work and teaching at Dundee University, went back to study an MFA at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

Pete said: “This gave me the chance to really immerse myself in everything from litho printing, bronze casting and contemporary portraits to filmmaking.

"My work uses different mediums including paint, print and drawing and is inspired by the beauty I see in daily life.

"This can be the wonderful landscapes that surround us here in Fife or the people, places or communities that I love and work with.

"I’ve always loved visiting other artists in situ and it’s so good to be preparing to do the same for visitors next weekend.

"Since having my own studio for a few years, I’ve always wanted to open the doors and both inspire others and show my work to the public. This weekend is one great way to do this!

"I’m looking forward to welcoming folk and having good chats about art.

"Hopefully I’ll make new connections and people will appreciate my work.”

A long-established artist from Aberdeenshire, now based in St Andrews is Jenny Watt Colbeck whose paintings celebrate shape and form and feature bothys, boats, trees and lighthouses will also be opening her studio for the first time.

Also with works themed on the coast is Louise Oswald, painter based in Strathkinness, another first timer.

The majority of colours Louise uses are pigments she has processed herself from rocks and minerals and she uses them to paint the landscape they are sourced from.

Louise is really excited about the weekend.

She said: “I’ve been quietly working away in my studio, making my paints and experimenting with their capabilities.

"Open Studios gives me an opportunity to show my work and chat about my pigments and the strong connection between the artwork and the area.

"It can be a solitary lifestyle working from a home studio, so it’s great to have an opportunity to meet people, step out of the shadows a bit and share my work.

“It’s been a lot of hard work to pull everything together.

"I’ll have a small gallery space and my studio set up to demonstrate pigment making so I’m most looking forward to sharing my process and meeting people who may be interested in trying it in their own artwork."

Opening her studio after a break for health reasons is Eileen Gardner in Gauldry who was awarded the British Empire Medal for Arts in Fife.

Eileen’s work is primarily in pastel and watercolour, specialising in painting seascapes.

Eileen has been involved in the Open Studios since 2010. She took a year out last year for health reasons, but now she’s pleased to be back.

She said: “I’m looking forward to this year, hoping to see some of my customers back again.

"I enjoy people coming to see my work and especially I enjoy talking to them, hearing their stories and helping those who ask for any advice on painting.

"I have taught adults watercolour, pastels, oils, acrylics and mixed media for more than 36 years and I teach at Higham Hall College in the Lake District twice a year.”

For more information on all the artists and makers taking part in this year’s Open Studios North Fife, as well as details of where to find them visit the website www.openstudiosnorthfife.co.uk