Date: Saturday, 6 December 2025 — One day only

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Time: 09:00 – 17:00

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Location: Selected studios in Boston, Bellville (between the N1, Voortrekker Road, Durban Road, and Mike Pienaar Boulevard)

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More information:

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Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/bostonopenstudios/

Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/bostonopenstudios/

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Boston Open Studios will host its fifth consecutive Open Studio Day on Saturday, 6 December 2025, from 09:00 to 17:00.

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Open Studios is a national initiative where artists and artisans from various disciplines open their studios to the public. The aim is to highlight individual creators rather than businesses. Since the end of lockdown, the initiative has grown significantly, with more towns, neighbourhoods, and artist communities joining each year.

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The concept allows artists, craftspeople, and creatives, who typically pay galleries commissions of 30% to 60%, to sell their work directly to the public at studio prices. Visitors can purchase artworks directly from the artists, often at prices up to 60% lower than gallery rates. It’s a good opportunity to find something special for yourself or as a unique Christmas gift while supporting local talent.

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Boston Open Studios was founded by local artists Laurette de Jager and Ilse Nieman. They believed their neighbourhood, Boston in Bellville, home to many artists, writers, designers, and creatives, should host an annual Open Studio event. The first event took place on 4 December 2021, with artists, writers, retro furniture suppliers, and educational spaces opening their doors to the public.

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The first Boston Open Studios helped demystify the idea of the artist’s studio. The success of previous years has drawn interest from both locals and visitors. It became clear that Boston Open Studios offered more than just a glimpse into creative spaces. Due to the initiative’s growth, founders Laurette de Jager and Ilse Nieman have expanded the organizing team to a committee model, now including Annehette Troost, Adele Helfrich, and Jacques Kannemeyer. This will be the founders’ final year as organizers, as Laurette steps down due to academic commitments.

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This year, Boston Open Studios is collaborating with The Thinking Fund (TTF) on the Thinking Rabbits exhibition. The works will first be shown at Open Studios on 6 December and then exhibited at the Candice Berman Gallery in Johannesburg on 13 December 2025. After the exhibition, the works will be auctioned online, with proceeds going directly to TTF’s scholarship and skills development programs. The partnership reflects Open Studios’ commitment to creativity and international artistic exchange within studio environments.

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Over the past two years, Open Studios has attracted visitors from outside the area, many of whom took the opportunity to purchase original artworks at studio prices. Last year’s event saw a record number of visitors, confirming the initiative’s growing popularity. This year’s Boston Open Studios has surpassed all previous participation, with 16 studios and 29 artists involved, making it the largest and most promising edition to date.

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Participating Artists:

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• Visual Artists: Laurette de Jager, Ilse Nieman, Hugo de Villiers, Jacques Kannemeyer, Adele Helfrich, Annehette Troost, Chantelle Fourie, Laurita le Roux, Willa van Schalkwyk, Riette Symmonds, Marianna le Roux, Tia Gerber, Anne Wells, Christo Bruwer, Anelle du Plessis, Jannique Gildenhuys-Delport, Darryl Jacobs, Juan-dré Kotzé, and the Beyond The Frames collective

• Photographers: Hendre Louw and Amy Krause

• Ceramics: Karen Kotze and Trudy Oosthuizen

• Designers: Karla Louw, Annette Oosthuizen, Terice Louw, and Marinda Lindeque

• Writer: Mareli Smit

• Winemaker: Pieter de Waal (Hermit on the Hill)