How Open Art Spaces Began
We started with a simple belief: art should be accessible to everyone. What began as a small community project has grown into a vibrant platform for artists, makers, and creative communities to connect, share, and thrive.
From our first pop-up event to today’s Open Art Market and creative workshops, our mission has always been the same: make art accessible to everyone.
We saw a need for more inclusive, affordable, and supportive art spaces where emerging artists could showcase their work and audiences could engage with creativity in new ways. That vision became the foundation of Open Art Spaces: a place to celebrate creativity, celebrate talent, and build connections through art.
Emma + Eve x
Meet the Team
Founder + Operations Director
Emma Murphy
Emma is a photographer, curator and the co-founder of Open Art Spaces. After working across art fairs and creative organisations, she became increasingly aware of how inaccessible the industry could feel, with many emerging artists priced out of opportunities. From Open Art Spaces’ first pilot market on Portobello Road to events across London, Emma leads the curation and operations of the markets, creating supportive spaces where artists can build confidence, test new ideas and connect with our creative community.
Founder + Creative Director
Eve Kennedy
Eve is a digital designer and illustrator, and the co-founder of Open Art Spaces. After graduating from arts university, Eve recognised the barriers many emerging creatives face when it comes to sharing, selling and gaining confidence in their work. Open Art Spaces was founded to create more accessible opportunities for artists, with the Open Art Market designed as a welcoming alternative to traditional gallery environments. Accessibility, inclusivity and creative confidence remain central to Eve’s work and the wider vision of Open Art Spaces.
our values
Community: We are dedicated to building strong local connections through shared experiences.
Inclusivity: We welcome everyone, regardless of experience, background, or ability.
Creativity: We celebrate all forms of artistic expression
and encourage everyone to experiment.
Collaboration: We believe in the power of working together to create something extraordinary.
Open Art Spaces was founded with a simple, powerful vision:
make art accessible to everyone
2021
Our journey began in 2021 when we, (Emma + Eve) were introduced serendipitously to run an event at Chelsea Theatre. From that day, we knew we were a great team. We both shared the same simple yet powerful vision, sparking an instant bond: to make art accessible to everyone.
As creatives ourselves, we know art has the power to transform lives, create relationships and bring communities together. We also know it’s really hard to break into the art world—so we envisioned a space where we could bring people together, where emerging artists could thrive.
2022
We started the Open Art Market! Just 6 stalls on Portobello Road that have now grown into a thriving pop-up market and a diverse creative community that continues to evolve and expand.
2023
We expanded to 26 stalls on Portobello Road's Tavistock Square, transforming a previously disused area of portobello into a bustling market location of its own.
2024
We launched our very first Open Art Show! It was a fresh take on our usual events—capturing all the charm of a market, but with the added bonus of an indoor space where artists could mingle, connect, and collaborate.
That same year, we were awarded 'Best Small Speciality Market', a proud moment that recognised our growing impact on the creative community.
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2025
In 2025, we took a big step forward by investing in our own (orange!) infrastructure. This gave us the freedom to shape our events more creatively and explore new locations with ease.
We popped up in a handful of new locations including Chiswick, Coal Drops Yard and High Street Kensington.
We proudly hosted the very first Chelsea Art Market—a game-changing moment that marked an exciting new chapter for Open Art Spaces.
2026
Open Art Shop was born! A new way for artists and makers to sell, connect, and be discovered through a curated boutique of art and handmade treasures.
We shook up the traditional gallery experience, turning it into a fun, playful space with live activations from screen-printing to pet portraits.
what's next?
We're always working on something new behind the scenes. The people we meet always amaze us. Creative people are so kind, smart and inspiring—and we always hear the same echoed after our events. We love what we do, and we love that so many of you want to be a part of it.
Whether you’re an artist, art lover, or someone looking to try something new, there’s a place for you here.
Emma + Eve x
