This September, Digswell Arts will once again open the doors of The Forge in Digswell as part of Herts Open Studios 2026, inviting visitors to meet artists and discover the breadth of creative work being produced here.

Our Open Studios will take place on:

Sunday 6 September 2026, 11am–5pm
Saturday 12 September 2026, 11am–5pm

Admission is free.

The event offers a rare opportunity to step inside the creative premises at The Forge, see work in a wide range of media and find out more about the artists, their ideas and the processes behind their practice.

Meet the Digswell Arts artists

Visitors will be able to see work by current Digswell Arts fellows and alumni, including:

Katy Cook, Sue Jarman, Elena Turner, Heather Ellis, Rosie Rigg, Sandra Smith, Caryl Beach, Liberty Burrough, Grete Dalum and Nade Simmons.

Work on display will span a variety of creative disciplines, including painting, drawing, mixed media and printmaking, reflecting the diverse practices currently developing at The Forge.

Artist demonstrations

Open Studios is not only an opportunity to see finished work. Visitors will also be able to watch artists at work and gain an insight into some of the techniques used within their practices.

During the event there will be:

• Printmaking demonstrations with Heather Ellis
• Collage demonstrations with Katy Cook
• Stitch demonstrations with Nade Simmons
• Cyanotype demonstrations with Grete Dalum and Caryl Beach

Nade’s stitch demonstrations, together with the cyanotype demonstrations by Grete and Caryl, will take place on both Open Studios days.

Our Print Room will also be open, giving visitors an opportunity to discover more about the printmaking facilities at The Forge and the different processes available to artists and print members.

Welcoming back Digswell Arts alumni

This year we are particularly pleased to welcome a number of Digswell Arts alumni and former Print Members back to The Forge.

Jonathan Emmerson, Jane Bottery, Fiona Chaney, Marian Hall, Jane Glynn, Julia Holt and Sally Tyrie will be displaying work alongside testimonials reflecting on their time at Digswell Arts.

Their participation provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the continuing story of The Forge and the artists who have been part of its creative community over the years.

Digswell Arts has a long history of supporting artists, with The Forge continuing to provide working studio spaces and opportunities for artists to develop their practices.

Discover art on your doorstep

Herts Open Studios runs throughout Hertfordshire from 5–27 September 2026, bringing together artists and makers across the county and giving the public an opportunity to visit spaces that are not normally open to visitors.

At The Forge, you can wander through the print room, speak directly with artists about their work, discover new creative practices and enjoy an informal introduction to the Digswell Arts community.

Whether you already follow local artists, are looking for inspiration, are interested in printmaking or simply want to see what happens inside an artist’s studio, we would be delighted to welcome you.

Plan your visit

Digswell Arts Open Studios 2026
The Forge
Hertford Road
Digswell
Welwyn
Hertfordshire
AL6 0BU

Sunday 6 September — 11am–5pm
Saturday 12 September — 11am–5pm

Free entry

The Forge is on Hertford Road, adjacent to St John’s School. Limited street parking is available close to the studios, Digswell Park Road (Viaduct) Car Park, approximately a five-minute walk away, as well as on-street parking around the Haldens area. Welwyn North station is the nearest railway station.

You can also find our official Herts Open Studios listing through Herts Visual Arts, where further visitor information is available. (hvaf.org.uk)

Come along, meet the artists and discover the creativity happening at The Forge.