Our 2023 Woolwich Open Studios took place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June.

Thames-Side Studios operate the UK's largest site of artist and maker spaces. With over 550 studios we are home to an impressive array of artists, makers and designers. This is a unique opportunity to meet them, talk about what they do, and to buy directly from their studios.

Painting, drawing, fashion design, carpentry, jewellery, millinery, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture & installation, tailoring, leather work, picture framing, stained glass making, writing, upholstery, illustration, textiles, conservation & restoration, lutherie, graphic design, furniture design, film and video, architecture, wood working, laser cutting, product design, book binding, animation, and much more…


FREE Weekend Workshops in the Education Space (Unit 2, 1st floor)

Saturday, 1-3pm
Experimental Mark Making with Emily Webb
FREE
Explore ways to make unusual marks using creative and imaginative tools. Gather a sense of fluidity and flow, respect the unexpected and let the beautiful process of mark making unfold. Materials provided. Drop In Session – maximum of 8 attendees at a time – suitable for children 12+.

Saturday, 4-6pm
Thames Mystery Painting with Ewa Boguszewska
FREE
There is a mysterious ship on the River Thames. Come and discover its beautiful colours and the creatures living around it. Let's create a big acrylic painting together. Drop In Session – maximum of 10 attendees at a time – suitable for children 5-12, but all welcome.

Sunday, 1-3pm
Where It Happens Graphic Design Poster with Niki Wolfe & the Wolfegang team
FREE
Thames-Side Studios is Where it Happens. Feeling inspired by all the makers and artists on site, and guided by the Wolfegang team, you’ll create your own graphic design for a poster. Lots of materials, examples and inspiration will be provided.
Once you’ve created a great design, you’ll be shown ‘behind the scenes’ of how our designers turn an image into an artwork file, and walk away with you very own poster. If you love your design so much, the Wolfegang team can print you a t-shirt for an additional fee. Please attend for the full session – maximum of 10 at a time - suitable for children 8+.

Sunday, 4-6pm
Family Jewellery Workshop with Cordelia Stewart
FREE
This fun hands-on workshop will introduce you to basic jewellery making. You’ll make a beaded bracelet, pendant or pair of earrings. Drop In Session – maximum of 6 attendees at a time – suitable for children 7+. Children 12+ can be unaccompanied.

FREE Weekend Workshops in the Lounge (Unit 0, 2nd floor. Lift access available).

Saturday, 1-3pm
Creatures of the Thames Clay Workshop with Fran Reeves
FREE
Create a creature of the Thames or sea monster from the Estuary! Use air dry clay to sculpt a small river beastie to take away with you, be it a bird, fish, eel or something else entirely that lurks about the muddy Thames! Drop In Session – maximum of 6 attendees at a time – suitable for children 5-12, but all welcome.

Saturday, 4-6pm
Experimental Mark Making with Emily Webb
FREE
Explore ways to make unusual marks using creative and imaginative tools. Gather a sense of fluidity and flow, respect the unexpected and let the beautiful process of mark making unfold. Materials provided. Drop In Session – maximum of 8 attendees at a time – suitable for children 12+.

Sunday, 1-3pm
Wildflower Seed Bomb Making with Miyuki Kasahara
FREE
Make flower, butterfly, bee and other pollinator-shaped wildflower seed bombs in this free, fun and practical workshop. During the session, we will talk about what kinds of wildflowers encourage particular pollinators and their relationships. We will also consider how much they have declined in recent years and how we can help them. The wildflower seed bombs can be distributed in your garden, by the roadside, riverbanks or derelict land, to help the pollinators. Drop In Session – maximum of 10 attendees at a time – suitable for children 5+.

‘Positive message’ Creative Badge Making with Ania Pawlik
FREE
Come along to create your own unique and personalised badges with a positive message to share with the world. Feel free to look through some examples of other badges or just let your creativity be playful. All materials will be provided, just bring your imagination and simply enjoy the process of turning your design into a badge. Drop In Session – maximum of 10 attendees at a time – suitable for children 5+.


Other Workshops Taking Place This Weekend
London Leather Workshop
Make a Leather Keyring with Melissa Bruscoli & Sara Battiston
FREE
Taking place in TB-111, Unit 8 (first floor).
A beginner-friendly workshop taking place in a fully equipped leather craft studio. After a quick, practical demonstration of common working methods, you’ll create and personalise asimple keyring. The workshop should take 15-20 minutes, depending on people's dexterity. Saturday & Sunday - Drop In Session – 18+ only - Maximum of 4 attendees at a time

CREATIVE NATURE
Wand Whittling Taster with Stephen Stockbridge
FREE
Taking place in TW-008, Trinity Wharf (ground floor)
This workshop is for children and an accompanying adult to start practising whittling wood with special tools to create a unique and natural wand. There will be plenty of advice so you can continue this hobby safely at home together, using the correct tools. The sessions last an hour, so please arrive about 10 minutes early for a prompt start.
Saturday & Sunday - 2-3 pm & 5-6pm - Maximum of 10 attendees at a time

Scale Model Studios
Rod Puppet Building Workshop with Jenny Kidd
£175 including all materials
Taking place in 7-217, Unit 7 (2nd floor)
Rod puppets are gaining in popularity as they are quick to work with, but creating them can be tricky especially when keeping in mind how they need to move.
This course is perfect for anyone looking to create and learn how to puppeteer with a puppet that can last for long shoots and hours of puppeteering. You will learn how to: design your puppet, build the body and shape, create loose links between limbs, dress and finish the look of your puppet, create rig and access points, and reinforce the puppet to maintain strength during animation.
Saturday & Sunday, 10-4pm - To book, email: [email protected]



Bus: 472, 161, 180, 177
Rail: Woolwich Dockyard / Charlton
Tube: North Greenwich
Elizabeth Line: Woolwich

020 8301 8844
Instagram: thamessidestudiosse18

Food and drink is available.
Free limited parking on site.
More details here