Worcestershire Open Studios 2026 at Olive & Plum Academy | Free Art Event at Arley Studios

Looking for art events in Worcestershire this August?

If you're searching for inspiring things to do in Worcestershire, enjoy discovering local artists, or would love to explore beautiful original artwork, then Worcestershire Open Studios is an event you won't want to miss.

From 22nd–31st August 2026, Olive & Plum Academy at Arley Studios will once again be opening its doors as part of Worcestershire Open Studios, inviting visitors to meet professional artists, watch live painting demonstrations, browse original artwork and experience the creative atmosphere inside our working studios.

Best of all, admission is completely free, with no booking required.

Whether you're an artist yourself, a collector, or simply looking for a relaxing day out in the Worcestershire countryside, we'd love to welcome you.

What is Worcestershire Open Studios?

Worcestershire Open Studios is one of the county's most popular annual arts events, bringing together painters, sculptors, ceramicists, jewellers, photographers and makers from across Worcestershire.

For ten days each summer, artists open their studios and creative spaces to the public, offering a unique opportunity to see where art is created, meet the people behind the work and gain an insight into their creative process.

Unlike visiting a traditional gallery, Open Studios allows you to experience artists at work, often seeing unfinished paintings, sketchbooks, demonstrations and conversations that simply aren't possible anywhere else.

It's a wonderful event whether you're looking for:

• Free events in Worcestershire

• Art exhibitions near Kidderminster, Bewdley or Stourport

• Things to do near Bridgnorth

• Local artists to discover

• Original artwork for your home

• Inspiration for your own creative journey

You can find out more about the county-wide event by visiting the Worcestershire Open Studios website:https://www.worcestershireopenstudios.org/about/

Visit Olive & Plum Academy at Arley Studios

Situated in the beautiful village of Arley, between Bewdley and Bridgnorth, Olive & Plum Academy has become a thriving creative destination for artists of all abilities.

Throughout the year we host professional art workshops, art holidays and creative experiences.

During Worcestershire Open Studios, however, visitors have the rare opportunity to step inside our working studios, meet our tutors and watch professional artists creating artwork in real time.

Whether you're visiting for twenty minutes or spending the afternoon exploring, there's always something new to discover.

Meet Our Artists

Throughout the event you'll have the opportunity to meet members of the Olive & Plum Academy team.

Sarah Stokes

Sarah Stokes is a Best Selling Watercolour Artist & author with over 134,000 courses sold & over 200,000 followers on Domestika.

Sarah is one of the founders of Olive & Plum and is a professional, published wildlife artist and author working from the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, in England. She specialises in watercolour and charcoal. 

Her warm and easy manner have made her watercolour and charcoal classes a firm favourite with beginners and improvers alike. 

She is also a passionate conservationist and animal lover and is constantly inspired by the birds and animals that live in the woodlands that surround her home and studio, on the banks of the River Severn. 

Sarah came to art pretty late in life. Having abandoned it at the age of 14, she started drawing again in her early 40’s and then took up watercolour very soon afterwards.  After attending advanced art classes in the USA and United Kingdom, Sarah became a professional artist in 2012, exhibiting and selling in major galleries and cruise liners as well as supplying retail giants such as Next, Wayfair and Amazon. In 2020, she changed direction and teamed up with the Spanish based creative platform Domestika to create 4 best selling online courses. Her first book on painting birds, published by Bloomsbury in 2024 was endorsed by collector Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and soon became a watercolour best seller on Amazon with an ever growing number of  5 star reviews.

Her passion for teaching is what drives her work. Her classes are warm, friendly, encouraging and above all, fun!

Sarah says..."I get such a buzz from teaching; I love it when a student gets one of those light bulb moments and it means that they can move onto the next level of their artistic journey…to get people to believe in themselves and their ability is the best feeling ever.”

Laura Jayne Smith

Laura Jayne Smith is a Worcestershire-based artist who specialises in watercolour and charcoal, with a deep appreciation for the natural world. Her work primarily features wildlife, capturing the beauty of animals from the British Isles and beyond.

Her lifelong love for animals began in childhood, where she often cared for a variety of creatures. This passion is reflected in her art, which frequently highlights birds and large mammals, such as elephants. Laura is particularly fond of using watercolour and charcoal for their flexibility, allowing her to create both detailed, refined pieces and looser, more expressive works.

As a member of the Association of Animal Artists, Laura has exhibited her work in numerous group shows and has been a finalist in both national and international wildlife art competitions. Her exhibitions span from local galleries to prestigious venues in London.

In addition to her artistic career, Laura has over 20 years of teaching experience, working with people of all ages and abilities, including children, teens, adults, and special needs groups. She leads watercolour and drawing workshops, where her friendly and encouraging teaching style helps participants feel comfortable and confident. Laura finds great fulfillment in teaching, enjoying the process of guiding others toward their own artistic success.

Jaime Moore

Jaime, an artist from Worcestershire, has always had a passion for art. However, after college, her journey took a different turn when she found herself working in special education, supporting pupils with special needs. She thrived in this role for over twelve years, loving the daily challenges and the chance to make a meaningful impact. The role also gave her space to channel her creativity in unexpected ways.

After starting a family and taking a break from her career, Jaime reignited her love for art once her youngest child began school. She enrolled in a six-week course with renowned artist Sarah Stokes, thinking it would just help her brush up on some skills. Little did she know that it would spark a creative whirlwind, leading to four years filled with exhibitions, regular commissions, and her selection as a finalist in the prestigious David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, where she exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London. Specialising in watercolour and charcoal, Jaime is captivated by the boldness of charcoal, particularly in animal and human portraits, while her watercolour work shines with vibrant hues and fluidity. Her work often features bright birds, landscapes, seascapes, and more recently, architectural scenes, making her pieces dynamic and full of life.

Andrew Hemming

Andrew is known for his striking charcoal and landscape work, demonstrating how tone, light and composition combine to create dramatic, atmospheric paintings.

Visitors often enjoy watching his artwork develop from simple sketches into beautifully finished pieces.

Andrew Hemming is an award winning photographer and painter based in England whose work has graced the pages of numerous magazines, adorned book covers, and been showcased and sold in exhibitions.

“Art has always been the heartbeat of my professional and personal life, a constant source of joy and inspiration. I have a particular passion for mixed media, with a special love for watercolour. I thrive on discovering new techniques and ideas that keep creativity vibrant and fresh. While landscape and wildlife are among my favourite subjects, my artistic curiosity knows no bounds!”

A seasoned speaker and demonstrator, Andrew has led workshops for numerous organisations and associations. His latest classes on loose watercolour landscapes have quickly become student favourites. His approach to painting is playful, energetic, and full of movement, with a style that's both expressive and ethereal.

Andrew’s natural warmth comes through in his classes. His teaching approach is hands-on, immersive and engaging, designed for each student to discover their own creative potential and succeed in their artistic endeavours.

“My goal is to help you find joy in the creative journey and take pride in what you create. Together, let’s explore, create, and imagine a world where your creativity knows no limits.”

Sharon Gibson

Sharon's expressive painting style and approachable teaching make her demonstrations fascinating to watch.

She enjoys sharing techniques that encourage confidence, creativity and a love of painting, whatever your experience level.

Specialising in landscapes, her work is characterised by expressive mark-making, fluid brushstrokes, and a keen eye for natural textures. She favours watercolour and mixed media to capture both sweeping vistas and intricate details, bringing the essence of nature to life.

As a teacher, she is passionate about inspiring others to embrace their creativity. She breaks down skills into manageable steps, making learning engaging and accessible. Through playful mark-making, colour exploration, and immersive experiences—whether collecting found materials, sketching outdoors, or recalling sensory memories—she encourages her students to develop their artistic voice. Teaching at Arley Studio and beyond, she creates enriching, memorable experiences that deepen the connection between art and nature.

Watch Live Art Demonstrations

One of the highlights of visiting Olive & Plum Academy during Worcestershire Open Studios is the opportunity to watch professional artists painting live.

Throughout the event you'll see demonstrations in watercolour, charcoal and mixed media, giving visitors an insight into different techniques, materials and artistic styles.

Every day is slightly different, making each visit a unique experience.

Original Artwork, Prints & Handmade Gifts

If you're looking for original artwork in Worcestershire, you'll find a wonderful selection available to browse and purchase.

Our studios will feature:

• Original paintings

• Fine art prints

• Greetings cards

• Handmade gifts

Buying directly from an artist is a fantastic way to support local creativity while taking home something truly unique.

Interested in Learning to Paint?

Many visitors leave inspired to pick up a paintbrush themselves.

If you've always wanted to learn watercolour, charcoal or mixed media, this is the perfect opportunity to meet our tutors and discover the wide range of workshops, art holidays and courses available through Olive & Plum Academy.

We welcome everyone, from complete beginners to experienced artists looking to develop new skills.

Find out more at- https://www.oliveandplumretreats.com/art-academy

Planning Your Visit

📅 Dates: 22nd–31st August 2026

Opening Times

Saturday 22 August: 11:00am–5:00pm

Sunday 23 August: 11:00am–5:00pm

Monday 24–Friday 28 August: 1:00pm–4:00pm

Saturday 29 August: 11:00am–5:00pm

Sunday 30 August: 11:00am–5:00pm

Monday 31 August: 1:00pm–4:00pm

Admission is FREE

No booking required

Discover One of Worcestershire's Most Inspiring Art Events

Whether you're searching for art events in Worcestershire, a free day out near Bewdley, things to do this August, or simply want to discover talented local artists, we'd love to welcome you to Olive & Plum Academy at Arley Studios.

Come and meet the artists, enjoy live demonstrations, browse original artwork and experience the friendly atmosphere that makes Worcestershire Open Studios such a special annual event.

We look forward to seeing you this August.

See what else is on at the Olive and Plum Academy, including a range of art workshops here- https://www.oliveandplumretreats.com/art-academy