Arts Council Santa Cruz County presents the 39th annual Open Studios Art Tour, a free self-guided event featuring 300+ artists, opening their creative spaces to the public for the 39th year.
Soquel artist Annie Meyer
More than 40 first-time artists are participating, and more than 100 studios offer artist demonstrations.
Attendees have the opportunity to buy the art they like on the spot.
“The arts are the heart and soul of our community,” said Jim Brown, executive director of Arts Council Santa Cruz County. “The level of community engagement at the annual Open Studios Art Tour speaks to the importance of creativity in our culture and demonstrates how the arts significantly contribute to our local economy, driving cultural tourism and fostering social enrichment.”
This is the swan song for Ann Ostermann, who has been at the helm for 20 years and is handing the reins over to Bree Karpavage, a collage artist in the Santa Cruz Mountains who directs First Friday Santa Cruz Art Tour.
Ostermann said, “There’s just nothing better than meeting an artist in person and seeing where they make their art!”
Dates and locations:
- Oct. 5-6: North County artists — from the yacht harbor north
- Oct. 12-13: South County artists — from the yacht harbor south
- Oct. 19-20: All County — featuring 250+ artists across the county
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Studios Art Tour is a program of Arts Council Santa Cruz County, which awards grants to artists and arts organizations, offers arts education programs serving more than 18,000 youth, and community initiatives such as Open Studios, the Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, and the Watsonville Center for the Arts.
By Scotts Valley artist Sharon Medler
Learn more at artscouncilsc.org
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Highlights
- Tannery Arts Center: More than seven artists, 1050 River St., Santa Cruz.
- Cover Artist: Peter Vizzusi, an established artist providing glass blowing demonstrations, 422 Cliff Drive, Aptos
- Artist Highlights: Rigel Hunter, a metal fabricator, 2131 B, Delaware Ave, Sant Cruz, Ercilia Medeiros, watercolors and acylic, 6996 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, Dan and Laurie Hennig, pottery, 211 E. Grove., Boulder Creek.
- Website: santacruzopenstudios.com/ Browse all the participating artists on the A-Z pages. Click links to learn more.
- Artist Guide: Pick up a free printed guide at Good Times drop-off points. Follow the keys for studios that are wheelchair accessible, offer demonstrations or are Spanish speaking.
- App: Download the free app on iTunes & Google Play.
- Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
- Green Signs: Follow the green signs to find artist studios.
- Preview Exhibits: Through Oct. 20, two galleries will host a sampling of art works. Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, and Pajaro Valley Arts Porter Building, 280 Main St., Watsonville
Pop into the gallery, find artwork that intrigues you, and note which studios you want to visit.
All work at the previews is for sale.
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Visiting from out of town? For hotel accommodations, dining options, check out www.santacruz.org/
TOP IMAGE: By Aptos artist Susan Costes