Discover the perfect Christmas gift—or a treat for yourself—at the Peterborough Artists Open Studios (PAOS) Affordable Art Fair. Hosted at The Fleet in Fletton, this festive one-day event brings together the very best local painters, makers, and crafters for a unique shopping experience.
The best part? Everything on display is priced under £100.
This is a rare opportunity to own original, handmade work at accessible prices. By shopping at the fair, you are supporting the talented creative community right here in Peterborough while finding one-of-a-kind items you won’t find on the high street.
Original Art & Crafts: Browse a wide variety of works including small-scale paintings, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, photography, and hand-printed cards.
Budget-Friendly Brilliance: Every single item is capped at £100, making it the ideal destination for unique stocking fillers and meaningful gifts.
Meet the Artists: Chat directly with the creators behind the work and learn about the techniques and stories involved in their craft.
Festive Atmosphere: Enjoy a relaxed, welcoming environment at The Fleet, complete with a celebratory seasonal buzz.
Skip the generic gift sets this year and choose something with a soul. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece of jewellery or a beautiful mini-canvas, join us on the 5th of December to celebrate and support local artistry.
Every summer, the Peterborough Artists Open Studios (PAOS) invites you behind the scenes of the region’s thriving creative community. For three weekends, local painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellers, and makers open their private workspaces to the public, offering a rare opportunity to see where and how art is made.
Whether you are looking to purchase original artwork, learn about traditional and contemporary techniques, or simply enjoy a wander through some of the area’s most inspiring gardens and studios, PAOS offers a welcoming and informal experience for all.
From the city centre to the surrounding villages, you can navigate your own bespoke art trail using our interactive map and brochure. Meet the artists, discover unique handmade treasures, and find inspiration around every corner.
Plan Your Visit: Use the PAOS website or brochure to find participating artists and their opening times.
Meet the Makers: Chat with creators about their process and inspiration.
Support Local Art: Buy directly from the artists, with many venues offering original pieces, prints, and cards for sale.
Join us this June and July to celebrate the incredible talent within the Peterborough area. Entry to all studios is free.
Kickstart your creative summer with the official launch of the Peterborough Artists Open Studios (PAOS) 2026. This month-long exhibition brings together a diverse collective of painters, sculptors, jewellers, photographers, and textile artists, offering a vibrant preview of the talent waiting to be discovered across the city and its surrounding villages.
The launch exhibition serves as a visual map for the upcoming open studio weekends in June and July. Visitors can explore a curated selection of original works, meet some of the makers behind the pieces, and pick up a copy of the 2026 PAOS brochure to plan their own bespoke art trail.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply curious about the local art scene, the launch provides a welcoming space to experience high-quality contemporary craft and fine art. From bold abstract canvases to intricate handmade jewellery, there is something to inspire every visitor.
Unspoken Colours is an engaging series of art workshops designed specifically for neurodivergent young people aged 16 to 25. Hosted at the YMCA Community Hub in The Cresset, Peterborough, these sessions offer a dedicated space to explore identity and build community through the power of creativity. Participants have the unique opportunity to work together on a collaborative mural, turning individual expression into a shared piece of public art. The workshops run every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, starting on February 4th.
The program is led by Amanda Rigby, a professional artist and illustrator with extensive experience in school and community-based projects. Her work focuses on collaboration and large-scale art, with a philosophy centered on making the creative process joyful and inclusive. Under her guidance, the workshops aim to help young people feel seen and supported as they discover new ways to express themselves. Supported by Arts Council England and the YMCA Trinity Group, the event is free to join via the official sign-up link.
Sign Up: linktr.ee/YMCAYouthCresset
We are very excited to announce our PAOS brochure for 2025 is now available. You can view a digital copy of the brochure here:
Print copies of the brochure are available in locations throughout Peterborough, including Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, The Key Theatre, Complete Framing and St. John’s Church.
PAOS, in partnership with City College Peterborough, have arranged for a FREE online course to help members learn more about selling their art online.
The free online course was delivered in May 2021 However, due to the popularity of the course, the College recorded the session to enable artists who wish to benefit from the interactive workshop to catch-up with it on a FREE online/anytime pre-recorded session lasting around 2 hours.
The course, designed to help people who wish to promote sales of their work via the internet on platforms such as Artfinder and Peterborough’s own website designed for people living and working in the PE postcode area – www.peterboroughgiftshop.com. You will also learn how to develop SMARTER objectives to help you plan and deliver your own strategy.
The course, run by former PAOS member, Chris Lane, who runs his own successful marketing agency, Artinfusion, based in Thorney. Chris is also a digital marketing apprenticeship tutor and assessor, teaches digital marketing courses for the college and also sells his work on various sites including the online Peterborough Gift Shop (www.peterboroughgiftshop.com), Ebay and other online channels.
Interested? Click here to sign up for this course.
This session will be available for a limited period of time so sign up now to avoid disappointment.
