We spotlight five great East Neuk Open Studios artists to visit

East Neuk Open Studios has been a focus for the Fife coastal community’s art scene since 2003.

We have picked out some of the talented artists you can visit in their East Neuk Studios on June 21 and 22 and 28 and 29 this year:

The founding member: Elizabeth Shepherd in Crail

Elizabeth Shepherd has been welcoming visitors to her garden studio in Crail since the first ENOS event in 2003.

She graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone in drawing and painting but has been drawn to printmaking for most of her career.

Elizabeth was a long time member of the DCA print studio but now concentrates on making small etchings in her studio.

Image shows: Artist Elizabeth Shepherd in her garden studio in Crail. She is working at a desk and surrounded by colourful ink and other art materials. — East Neuk Open Studios artist Elizabeth Shepherd has been involved in the event since it launched. Image: ENOS.

For this year’s Open Studios, she says: “I am making a collection of small flower etchings but I also have many other works of art to see. People will be able to see my small etching press and tools.”

She is looking forward to welcoming guests to her studio: “My large garden has become more beautiful over the years thanks to my gardener husband and dogs are welcome to come along too!”

The stalwart: Joanna van den Berg in St Monans

Collage and mixed-media artist Joanna van den Berg says: “I am delighted to be taking part in my 10th ENOS festival.

“It’s a great opportunity to share and showcase artwork, local talent and our beautiful coastal villages.”

Image shows: mixed media artwork by East Neuk Open Studios artist Joanna van den Berg. — One of the artworks by Joanna van den Berg that visitors will be able to chat to the artist about during ENOS. Image: ENOS.

She describes her work as inspired by: “Colour, light and water, mood and memory. I enjoy making artworks for unusual spaces and have exhibited in St Monans Windmill, local allotments in 495 phone-box gallery in Cellardyke.”

Visitors to Joanna’s small studio in St Monans will be able to see original artwork, print and cards.

The quirky one: Jen Black in Anstruther

Jen Black makes characterful animals and figures from upcycled materials and magazines under the name Wooltide. The artist is lucky to have a view of the Isle of May from her workshop in Anstruther.

She says: “I love living and working in the East Neuk of Fife. It is a beautiful area and
as an incomer (I have only lived here for 22 years!) I still have a bit of the feeling I am on holiday.”

Jen Black of wooltide with a model dog and her black and white collie who inspired it. Jen will be taking part in East Neuk Open Studios 2025. — Jen Black of Wooltide with one of her cute creations and the pet who inspired it. Image: Jen Black.

Jen describes her work as: “Playful and colourful and does not take itself too seriously.”

“I do, however take the actual making seriously and try my very best to produce
high quality handmade work which will hopefully make my visitors smile.”

Jen says that the Open Studios weekends will be the perfect chance to discuss commissions and find out more about her inspiration and creative processes.

The new girl in town: Dharmi Bradley in Crail

New to ENOS for 2025, Dharmi Bradley will showcase her mixed media take on traditional folk art.

“I am a graphic designer by profession.” says the artist, “Art has always been an integral part of my life and I take the opportunity where I can to exhibit.”

“My artwork has always drawn from my Indian heritage and consists of paintings, photography and mixed media.”

Dharmi Bradley produces beautiful prints and multimedia art for East Neuk Open Studios in Crail. — An example of the work that Dharmi Bradley produces from her studio in Crail. Supplied by ENOS.

The well-travelled creative came to the East Neuk of Fife nearly six years ago, having lived in Hong Kong, New Delhi and Paris.

“I like the quiet of the area along with the incredible landscapes,” she enthuses. “It’s also a place where the creative arts are celebrated and given a platform.”

Dharmi’s recent work has brought cyanotype negative printing techniques into her process. “I find it a good way of using my cultural background to tell of my current life in the East Neuk,” she explains.

The woodturner: Debbie Coull, Arncroach

Also new to ENOS for 2025, Debbie Coull produces beautiful hand-turned wooden objects from her workshop in Arncroach.

Debbie is a completely self-taught woodturner, who says: “I love the process of turning, and if the wood has stunning grain I will leave it natural.

“I also use my turned pieces as a canvas for my art and I love to embellish pieces with colour, metal inlay, texture and pyrography.”

Image shows: a hand-turned wooden bowl designed and made by Debbie Coull, Arncroach. The bowl is sitting on a fence post with fields and a hill in the background. — A beautiful hand-turned holly bowl by Debbie Cowl, one of the new members of East Neuk Open Studios for 2025. Image: Debbie Coull.

Debbie sources the vast majority of her wood locally and leaves it outside to air dry.

She enjoys experimenting by turning green (recently felled) wood and has made a name for herself in the woodturning community for her use of pyrography.

Please note that most studios are open to visitors from 10.30am to 5pm on June 21 and 22 and 28 and 29 but please check individual listings to confirm before making a journey.