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Download the JQ Open Studios Map by clicking here!

From now until the 22nd July, Tina Francis will be exploring the various businesses who will open their doors in this year’s Jewellery Quarter Open Studios Trail. You can also follow the official @JQOpenStudios Twitter and join in the conversation with #JQOpenStudios. For further information about the Jewellery Quarter Festival 2016 please visit the webpage by clicking here.

18th July – Doing it!

The weekend is fast approaching and we have so much to talk about! This year the Jewellery Quarter Festival will be taking place in Golden Square and also St Paul’s Square, so a walk between the two will see you pass many an Open Studio.

On St Paul’s Square RBSA (venue 40) will be open on both Saturday and Sunday. The gallery plays host to many fantastic exhibitions throughout the year and also has a varied rosta of workshops throughout the year. Artist Wayne Attwood and Sculptor Viv Astling will be demonstrating their work on both days 11 – 1 and 2 – 4. Take a while to talk to them both before looking around the gallery and Craft exhibition.

Moving on to Golden Square the nearest Open Studio is Artfull Expression (venue 5), a jewellery gallery showcasing the work of over 30 designer makers. The shop is a real treasure trove and a favoured destination for many who are looking for something just that little bit different. With makers on hand to talk about their work and techniques this will be a great place to start your trail if jewellery is top of your list.

Also close by is the School of Jewellery (venue 45), open on Friday as well as Saturday. Give your Jewellery Quarter Open Studios trail a head start by visiting before the festival begins and then stay around to party in Golden Square from around 4pm. The School is where many of the jewellers you see around the quarter learned their trade using traditional tools and techniques but also using the latest technology too. The Technology lab will be open so that you can see just how digital designing and making is now being used to create fantastic pieces of jewellery and other related products. Working at a bench all day means that a good work out is often called for so head to Kaizen Centre (venue 33) on Frederick Street to see what is on offer.

Kaizen Centre is a martial arts, health and fitness studio. A full time Dojo it runs classes in Aikido, Karate, Aikijutsu and much more and will have demonstration throughout the weekend. Talk about your fitness needs with their personal trainers and maybe book into the treatment room to relax after your Jewellery Quarter Open Studio visit, with all that walking you may need a boost! If being at Kaizen has peaked your interest in movement and fitness then a return visit to St Paul’s Square where this blog began as on Saturday and Sunday there will be a demonstration of Capoeria which is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music, check the programme to see when the team from CDOB right here in the Jewellery Quarter are out in St Paul’s Square.

So a lot of demonstrations in this blog next time will be about seeing and learning as we take you to the Sikh Temple and a creative design agency amongst other venues!

Don’t forget that our Open Studios map is now available for you to download. You can grab a physical copy on the day as well along with a JQ Festival programme.

To view previous blog entries please visit the official Open Studios Trail 2016 page by clicking here. For more about JQ Festival 16 please click the banner below:

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