About Open Studio
Wonder'neath Open Studio is a free, all ages, a drop-in art-making program that takes place in an accessible working artist studio.
Since 2014 Wonder’neath Art Society has offered Open Studio as a space to gather through artmaking for both personal exploration and collaborative projects: a space in which each person entering will be welcomed as an artist and valued community member. It is open to all, with outreach specifically focused on those facing barriers to accessing the arts. Children are at the heart of our practice in the community and are central to our vision. Thanks to the incredible support of the Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax, 2482 Maynard and 4Cs Foundation, we have been able to welcome over 34,000 participants over this time with continuity as a creative resource to our neighbours, becoming a hub for neighbours and friends.
Accessibility Guide. This guide provides information about Wonder’neath’s space, so you know what to expect upon your first visit. We strive to provide an accessible space for all who come to Wonder’neath.
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How OPEN STUDIO Works
HOURS
Fridays and Saturdays
2:00 - 4:30 PM & 5:00 - 7:00 PM
These sessions are a first-come drop-in program.
For updates, please reach us by phone at 902-454-6860 or email at info@wonderneath.com
We are an all-ages space, but a responsible guardian must accompany children under 12 years old. We ask caregivers to stay close to their young participants to support them in their art explorations. We close between each session to rest and prepare for the next session. You are more than welcome to attend multiple sessions, but you will not have access to the space between sessions.
In our shared space, you will typically find tools and support for:
wet and needle felting
hand sewing, embroidery
a sewing machine and lots of fabric
acrylic, watercolour, and mixed-media painting
a range of wet and dry drawing supplies (ink, oil and chalk pastels, charcoal, conté, pencil crayons, markers, calligraphy pens, etc)
printmaking techniques including screen printing, linocut printing, relief printing
a range of sculpting and building materials
hand tools (including several saws, clamps, drills, sanding blocks, hammers, screwdrivers, etc)
a large selection of paper for wet and dry mediums
collage materials
a library of art books
and more, feel free to ask!
Artist facilitators, as well as occasional volunteers, are on hand to assist at every session. We'll share our knowledge, experience and ideas, help you problem-solve, find space to work and feel at ease. No experience necessary! Feel free to share with us your knowledge and passion as well!
Each week there is a weekly featured project to get your creativity flowing, but it's just one of many options. We welcome self-directed inquiries and projects of all sorts – provided the materials you are bringing are appropriate for a shared studio space. Please, no toxic or hazardous materials.
We are a scent-free zone due to allergies. This also includes natural scents; please avoid all products containing Patchouli.
If you have any questions or feedback regarding Open Studio, please get in touch with us here. You can stay up to date by checking our social media pages.
Our Covid-19 Response in open studio
When Covid-19 concerns caused us to close our facility to the public, Wonder’neath Open Studio Artist’s created free take-home Art Kits for children, youth and families, and individuals which were available weekly. Until we were able to safely welcome folks back into the studio. We created 71 unique kits, with 12,000+ distributed to the public.
Made possible with support from
