\n YORK’S best-known living artist has not been selected for this year’s popular Open Studios event.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mark Hearld, well known for his nature collages, and one of the city’s best-loved artists, has taken part in around 19 of the past 20 Open Studios events where local creatives turn their homes into galleries and sell directly to the public.\n<\/p>\n
\n In September, Mark was informed he would not be selected for this year’s event, which runs over two weekends in April.\n<\/p>\n
\n When The Press contacted Mark to find out why he was not included in this year’s programme, the artist, who lives in The Mount, was initially reluctant to give a statement.\n<\/p>\n
\n He told The Press: “I don’t want it to look like sour grapes or that I am some sort of diva and I do not expect special treatment, but Open Studios should be an inclusive event.”\n<\/p>\n
\n In his interview with The Press, he said that in the past other leading York artists had faced an identical situation and it was time for the selection process to change.\n<\/p>\n
\n He understands he was not selected because the description of his work – “Collages inspired by nature” was too brief. But, he says, that description perfectly describes his work.\n<\/p>\n
\n All artists give ten per cent of all sales during the event to Open Studios, a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers.\n<\/p>\n
\n York artist Mark Hearld\n<\/p>\n
\n Mark said there were financial consequences for both artists and the organisation if popular artists did not take part.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “The commission benefits everyone, and the money goes into making the event run ever more smoothly.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Not taking part in the 2026 event would amount to a personal financial hit. “I cannot afford not to open. York Open Studios contributes a significant amount to my annual income.”\n<\/p>\n
\n He would like to see York Open Studios open to all local artists with participation secured through an admission fee.\n<\/p>\n
\n A cap on numbers is irrelevant, he argues, because artists show in their own homes rather in a gallery which would have limited wall space. Also, the printed programme could move online or onto an app, again allowing for more artists to take part.\n<\/p>\n
\n He also believes once artists have been selected for one Open Studio, they should be included indefinitely. \u201cThe cap on numbers is bonkers \u2013 the system needs reform.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n One of Mark Hearld’s ‘nature collages’\n<\/p>\n
\n He added: “The committee has forgotten the spirit of Open Studios which is supposed to promote art and artists working in York for everybody’s benefit.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Mark would like to see another change; if a non-selected artist decides to show in their own home during the Open Studios weekends they risk being banned for life. Mark says this is too punitive.\n<\/p>\n
\n He concluded: “I am pro Open Studios; I like the spirit of it, but I am very, very frustrated.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Recommended reading:\n<\/p>\n
\n Christine Storrs, chairperson of York Open Studios, said the organisation was open to feedback and suggestions, however confirmed there was a risk to non-selected artists staging their own event during the York Open Studios weekends.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Artists may become ineligible for future events if their conduct is deemed to be intended or likely to damage York Open Studios. This includes, but is not limited to… implying by advertising, signage or publicity that an unselected artist\/venue is part of York Open Studios.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This clause protects the artists who have been selected for the current event, paid their fees, and volunteered their time to make the event a success. Anyone using marketing materials or signage to imply to the public that their separate event is a part of York Open Studios also risks misleading visitors.”\n<\/p>\n
\n No artist should rely on Open Studios as a “reliable source of income” she added.\n<\/p>\n
\n “York Open Studios has always been a selected event, with fresh applications invited each year and a changing panel of independent selectors reviewing the submissions,” she told The Press.\n<\/p>\n
\n Hare by Mark Hearld\n<\/p>\n
\n “As with any professional opportunity, acceptance is not guaranteed, and it should not be assumed as a reliable source of income.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Following feedback in recent years from visitors and participating artists that the event was becoming too big, we took the difficult decision this year to cap the number of artists taking part to 150.\n<\/p>\n
\n “More than 650 artists have taken part over the years, and it would not be practical for our volunteer committee to administer an event on such a scale \u2013 nor would this be enjoyable for our visitors to navigate.”\n<\/p>\n
\n She said any substantial changes to the way York Open Studios operated would likely lead to higher costs for participating artists.\n<\/p>\n