Open Studios ’22: A Spectator’s Artistic Dream
Open Studios doesn’t just feature traditional paintings- artists create clothing, whimsical ceramics, and photography as well.
For 27 years, local artists have thrown open their doors to the public every October during “Open Studios.” The event, now taking place for the first three weekends of the month, allows the artists to connect with the community at large—both by selling their individual creations and by forming a larger space for Boulder to celebrate local visual arts.
Open Studios has worked for the past few years to make the event more accessible to teenagers. According to Mary Horrocks, the executive director, they’re increasing their social media presence and providing kid-friendly art projects for younger siblings. “With art programs being cut in schools, we need to introduce young people to art. It’s not something you’re guaranteed to get in a public school education anymore.”
This year’s Open Studios will feature over 150 studios across Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Longmont and beyond (all artists in the county are eligible). The organization switched the schedule to include three weekends in an effort to let artists see each other’s work, so not all studios are open all six days — check the list of artists published at openstudios.org/member-artists for more.
The flagship exhibition is at the Museum of Boulder this year, letting patrons see one piece from every artist participating in the event. It opens on September 30th, although, unlike in previous years when the exhibition was at the library or Naropa, it is subject to an entry fee (about eight dollars for youth). Along with art, it supplies the requisite tools for the weekends: a map of the studios, the aforementioned list of artists and their availability and a catalog with photos of the art.
All studios are free and there’s no expectation of purchasing art; artists are happy for patrons to peruse and strike up conversations about their craft. Mediums range from traditional (oil paint, watercolor, ceramics) to innovative (engineered sculpture, landscapes in Altoids tins, metallic fashion). The only uniformity in the event is the literal concept of opening studios.
Looking for a place to start? Check out Willi Eggerman’s ceramics, Sam Austin’s paintings, Mitch Levin’s pop sculptures or Elizabeth Hake’s jewelry. Go to openstudios.org for more information on the artists and the logistics of the event.
Hannah (rhymes with fauna!) Cohen is ecstatic to be working on the Owl for her third and final year. She loves stories in all their forms, but she mostly has opinions on obscure podcasts and which New York Times opinion columnists are defacing the good name of journalistic analysis. When not busy with stumbling through sheet music, editing nonfiction for jGirls+ Magazine, or seeking out the cheapest bluegrass venue, Hannah enjoys wandering around the mountains with her friends and lovely labradoodle. Although she's slightly preferential to the sweeter, more robust taste of red grapes, she knows that the bliss of biting into a crunchy grape transcends color.