The San Luis Obispo County 2011 Open Studios Art Tour - A Free Event!
by Christopher Bekins
ARTS Obispo's Open Studios Art Tour is one of the largest Open Studio events in America, with over 230 artists participating this year. Open Studios showcases the quality and diversity of art produced in SLO County, from sculpture, fabric art, and jewelry to painting, photography, pottery, woodworking, and print-making, you will discover all manner of artistic creativity and exquisite craftsmanship. Visitors can see and purchase a wonderful range of original work by local artists who appreciate the opportunity to share how, why and where their art is created.
The free catalog contains sample images from each artist, contact information, and maps to locate studios during the three-weekend event. It will serve as your guide to hop from studio to studio. Catalogs are available at several locations around the county and they are FREE! You can find the locations for the printed catalog and/or also download the catalog itself from the Arts Obispo website . . . just click on the appropriate box along the top of the home page.
New this year:
- OSAT Spotlight is a blog that gives you an online backstage look before the Tour begins to help you decide which artists to visit. Read posts from the artists about their process, their favoirte tool,and see before and after shots of their work.
The "Working Studio" symbol (a cog on a turquoise square) on the artist listing in the catalog indicating that the studio is where this artist regularly creates art, and where the artist's tools, supplies, or processes are on display. (Note—some of the artists may also actually be creating works on the tour weekends).
While the $25 charge for the catalog has disappeared, the need for income never goes away for this non-profit Arts Council. ARTS Obispo has included donation envelopes inside each catalog and would like to encourage visitors to donate (small or large, it all helps!) to support the Open Studios Art Tour and ARTS Obispo's community-based programs that include Arts in Education, Poetry Out Loud, Art in Public Places, Art After Dark and Mini-Grants to SLO County artists.
When and Where
September 15:
The Preview Show
The "6x6(x6) Preview Show" of tiny works (no larger than 6" on a side) by many of the participating Open Studio artists. The free show runs through October 30th, and.....
October 7th:
The Preview Show Reception in San Luis Obispo at the ArtsObispo center in the Old Creamery, 570 Higuera Street. 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Coincident with Friday's Art After Dark free events. Meet the artists and enjoy the refreshments.
Open Studios Tour - It's Free and It's Fun!
October 15 &16: The City of San Luis Obispo, the South County & South Coast (from Avila Beach to Nipomo) 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
October 22 & 23: The North County (from Santa Margarita to San Miguel) & North Coast (from Los Osos to Cambria) 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
October 29 & 30: Countywide Encore Weekend - see catalog for artists participating in this "last chance" weekend. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Use the maps in the catalog or just follow the signs the artists will put out, guiding you to their locations.
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