The Ouseburn Valley is the creative heart of Newcastle and its bustling alternative music scene, flourishing creative networks and abundant local history and heritage make it an exciting place to live, work or play. 

This November over 200 artists, designers and makers will be showcasing and selling their wares at key venues as part of the annual Ouseburn Open Studios weekend. Visitors can check out a range of arts and crafts and chat to artists, enjoy live music, demonstrations, workshops, homemade food and a festive tipple or two! 

We highlight 10 things to see and do across the valley over the weekend...

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1. Ouseburn views, pit fired raku pottery and one-off gifts at The Biscuit Factory

The Biscuit Factory gallery space, 2017

The Biscuit Factory opens its on-site artist studios over this Ouseburn Open Studios weekend. It's a great opportunity for a behind the scenes look at artists at work and visitors can pick up unique stocking fillers and one-off gifts ahead of Christmas. 

To celebrate the new contemporary craft space, the gallery will also be full of artists and makers at work. Enjoy watching the processes and skills that go into making; from miniature realist painting (with Hazel Mountford) and resin sculpture (with Anthony Crammen) to pit fired raku pottery (with Muddy Fingers Pottery). 

Plus, head to the brand new Factory Kitchen café terrace with Ouseburn views for a pop up bar, hot toddies, street food and maybe a seasonal tune or two!

> Stoddart Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN

> Free entry

> 10am - 6pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @biscuit_factory

 2. Life drawing at The Biscuit Tin Studios

Come and meet the artists, makers and designers based at The Biscuit Tin Studios to find out what inspires them and maybe buy that unique Christmas gift. Visit the ‘Life Class’ exhibition in the gallery which features the work of Biscuit Tin artists and friends, showing drawings, prints and paintings about that most enduring of subjects. Have a glass of wine and try your hand at drawing the figure yourself!

> Warwick Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1BB

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @biscuitinstudio

 3. DJs, silent films and homemade food at Cobalt

Come to Cobalt and explore their artist studios, arts venue, and other areas in development. There will be proper coffee, homemade food, a fully licensed bar, a program of music, DJ’s and silent films. There will also be riso prints for sale and arts workshops for kids and adults alike. In the evening fantastic ska/reggae/hip hop band King Porter Stomp are playing, this is ticketed separately.

>  10-16 Boyd St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1AP

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @CobaltStudios_

4. Visit a working printmaking studio at Northern Print

Discover a world of printmaking at Northern Print. See artist Bridget Jones's exhibition of unique prints on paper and textiles and visit their working printmaking studio where you can see the presses in action, have a go at printing your own winter woodland wrapping paper and gift tags and talk to some of resident studio artists about how they make their work. 

Plus you can find handprinted gifts and original artworks to suit every pocket in their magical Christmas shop!

>  Stepney Bank, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2NP

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @northernprint

5. Discover over 40 artists, designers and makers at quirky listed building 36 Lime Street 

36 Lime Street, the oldest and largest studio group in the North East, houses over 40 artists, makers and designers. This diverse mix of creative talent includes sculptors, painters, glass artists, jewellers, ceramicists, textile artists, furniture makers, visual artists, musicians, puppeteers, designers, graphic designers, photographers and more.

Enjoy a festive atmosphere with live music and gift ideas from paintings and prints to sculpture, jewellery, textiles, furniture and glass. The gallery exhibition 'Drawn In' will showcase new drawings of views from 36 Lime Street and 'Drawn Out' enables visitors to engage with, draw and display views within the building. 

Also, purchase a covetable letterpress raffle ticket, which feature prints of studio members’ work hand-printed by Hole Editions to raise money for the upkeep of the building.

>  36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday. Sneak Peek Preview: Friday 24th, 5pm - 8pm.

> @36LimeStreet

6. Enjoy new exhibition 'You Are Here' at Jim Edwards Studio Gallery

Jim Edwards, The Sage Gateshead, available here.

For his latest exhibition, You Are Here, Jim Edwards will be exploring the themes of Wayfinding; knowing where you are, where your desired location is, and knowing how to get there from your present location. Drop by and buy anything from a greetings card to a painting be entered into a raffle to win a framed limited edition print of your choice. 

> 59 Lime Street
, Ouseburn
, Newcastle upon Tyne
, NE1 2PQ 

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @jimedwards_

7. Join Ouseburn newbies Kiln for all things ceramic

In the 1265 Degrees North exhibition, Kiln Ouseburn showcases work from Jun Rhee, a ceramicist from South Korea, whom explores the vessel and the limits of what can be thrown on the potters wheel. All exhibition pieces will be available for purchase.

Kiln is a working ceramic studio where the public can see every part of the process whilst enjoying a bite to eat in the cafe. Also, don't miss the chance to join the studio artists to make your own clay monsters! 

> 4 Hume St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LN

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday

> @kilnouseburn

8. Affordable original art at Mushroom Works

Visit a range of artists, discover the techniques they use and discuss the passions that inspire their work at Mushroom Works. A wide variety of tempting, unique products will be on offer to peruse, purchase or commission.

Visitors can also view their ever popular 20cm x 20cm original artworks, all priced at an affordable £20. Refreshments will also be available and there’s ample free parking on site. 

>  8 St Lawrence Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AR

> Free entry

> 10am - 5pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday. Sneak Peek Preview: Friday 24th, 6pm - 8pm. 

> @mushroomworks

9. Stop off for food and drink at one of the Ouseburn's many restaurants, pubs and bars

View from the Free Trade, image Free Trade Facebook

The Ouseburn is full of unique places to stop for food and drink this Ouseburn Open Studios weekend. 

Visit Ernest for Newcastle's best brunch, enjoy craft beers and a cosy fire pit at Arch 2, and don't miss the unbeatable Tyne views from The Free Trade. Other bar and cafe highlights include; The Factory Kitchen at The Biscuit Factory (with brand new outdoor terrace!), The Cumberland Arms, The Ship Inn, Tyne Bar and The Tanners Arms.

Enjoy fine dining at artisan, vegan pub food at The Ship Inn, tea and cake with river views at Cycle Hub or eat out in a converted shipping container at Cookhouse. 

10. Make a night of it with live music in the Ouseburn

Explore iconic independent music venue The Cluny (view listings), go retro with The Ship Inn's 90s-tastic DJs or enjoy the very best soul, reggae, rhythm & blues on vinyl at Ernest. 

Also, don't miss the Tyne Bar's Christmas Fair; with live music and carols, street food and festive tipples. 

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Ouseburn Open Studios takes place on Saturday 25 November and Sunday 26 November 2017. Find out more: http://www.ouseburnopenstudios.org/