Orange County Arts Council announces 2013 Open Studio Tour October 12 & 13 and 19 & 20

Staff | September 16, 2013 | Comment

The Orange County Arts Council, through generous sponsorships from M&T Bank and C & S Wholesale Grocers, is organizing its Fifth Annual free, self-guided, Open Studio Tour which will takes place over two weekends and spans the entire County. The Open Studio Tour provides the public with a rare opportunity to tour Orange County’s art studios and art spaces, enjoy and purchase local artwork, interact with the artist, and learn more about each artist’s unique creative process.

“I absolutely enjoy hosting the Open Studio Tour because of the delight and amazement people express when they find us for the first time,” states Rhoda Mack, owner of Center for Metal Arts in Florida. “Our studio is unique in that it is a museum of metal arts history, process, styles, and design ideas. I love watching people walk through the gallery.” During the tour, the Center for Metal Arts will be holding a workshop with innovative and legendary European blacksmith, Uri Hofi.

On the other side of the county, Studio & Forum of the Scenic Arts in Newburgh will also be providing a rare opportunity for visitors to see how large scale, Broadway theatre backdrops are created. “In addition to a studio, we have a school that teaches artists how to paint and use special scenic techniques for Broadway, television, and the movies,” states Donna Buser, artist at Scenic Arts. Since 1994, Scenic Arts has been producing scenery for some of Broadway’s best loved shows, including Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Spam-a-Lot, The Producers, and Shrek the Musical. More recently, Mary Poppins and the Book of Mormon have joined the line-up.

This year’s tour will cover two weekends, eighteen towns and a total of 66 artists. It includes both seasoned Studio Tour participants as well as some never-before-seen arts venues. New to this year’s tour is The Barn-Art on Elm Lake, a 200 year-old structure which has been “turned into an art gallery atmosphere where artists, art lovers, collectors or local patrons can meet, relax, show their work or view what is exhibiting,” states owner Bruno B. Loehrer. He acquired the barn years ago and wanted to maintain the historical structure. With the use of modern equipment, he was able to raise the oak beam structure, repair the foundation, and keep all the original beams. Artist Dani Cooney of Port Jervis and guest artist Eugen Meier of Zurich, Switzerland will be participating on the tour at this wonderful unique location in Middletown.

Booklets are being created by the Orange County Arts Council, listing each artist, their location, contact information and a visual representation of their artwork. The Orange County Arts Council believes that this annual event offers a unique opportunity for dialogue between artists and the general public, creating a more personal connection to the arts. Dana Anders, owner of Studio Tour participant Bliss Co-op in Sugar Loaf believes, “It’s great to have an organization that is there to support and promote the arts for local artisans.” The tour encourages visitors to explore, experience and shop local. “Why not support someone who just may be your next door neighbor,” states Anders whose Co-op features the work of approximately 55 female artisans from the Hudson Valley region.

The Open Studio Tour opens up the world of artists to everyone – students, seasoned collectors, first-time art buyers and the curious general public. “We have a vibrant arts scene in Orange County,” believes Adrienne Butvinik, participating artist at Bliss Co-Op in Sugar Loaf. “Some people are not aware of that. Art is not rarefied and out of reach – it IS for everyone and easy to access!”

To request a copy of this year’s Open Studio Tour booklet or to find the closest distribution location, please call the Arts Council’s offices at 845-469-9168 or email [email protected] You can also find a downloadable version of the booklet, in September, by logging onto the Art Council’s website at www.ocartscouncil.org.

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