The press decided to visit Upper Popton on the second and final weekend of York Open Studios 2025, meeting one of two dozen or so signed-up artists who live and work outside of Ring Road/A64 to find out how to receive the annual event.
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Citizens have the opportunity to visit workshops and studios within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. These include Sheriff Hatton, Warhill, Stockton on the Force and Holtby.
Growing up in York, Joe Rodwell first showed in 2022 when a total of 200 people came to see her.
The artist – No. 69 of this year's 160 list – focuses primarily on prints and her distinctive linoporints, blending architecture and figurative designs.
Joe said: “It's actually amazing.
“There's a really strong community of people outside of Ring Road, and we all chat with each other, make recommendations and people say, 'This time we're doing it outside, next time we'll do it inside.” ”
“Most people have maps and trails that we work hard to do together. People can park and there are lovely pubs in the village.
“It's great to see people learn about the process and talk to us for a long time, including people who once visited and are currently exhibiting themselves.
“I had commissions from local locations and shops. I worked with York Wall Wall, a merchant adventurer, which inspired a new print, a story about the rivers and merchants of York.
“There were lots of great opportunities. I did some work at school and did some workshops with the kids.”
Just as a member of York's printmakers, Joe's membership in the popton collective artist allows her to “uplift her game” and contribute more to the local scene.
She said: “We will be exhibiting at our local pub, Whitehorse. They are very supportive. We held workshops, ceramics, reno printing, we had workshops on Amarti and Plusplastin from the group.
“We want to do art at the pub. People come and see what it is and try out the pot or try a little bit of a reno cut and chat with us with us.”
The former teacher said she was trying to bring education and gratitude to the arts.
Joe said:
“The beauty is that we are running around and we have families running at school. I have a lot of kids stopped. The balloons and signs last for a week, and my brochure is at the gate.
“The scenes I create are very local scenes, so they do a lot of spotting and interacting. I'm excited to see friends from the village kids coming in and take them.
“They all want to be exposed to tools, and I love it.
“It means they can go, it's accessible and they can be part of it.”
Joe said York Open Studios 2025 has been another success so far in terms of visitors to her home.
She said:
“The rider passed it and looked at the balloons and was like, 'Um, um?'
“So I told them it was okay and invited them – I love it when people come to studios that interest them.”
York Open Studios will run until April 13th, and see here for more details.
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