Visual artists invited to sign up for Durango Open Studios

 

Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and Mancos artists to open their studios to the public in October

The call for artists is now underway for those interested in participating in Durango Open Studios. The event, slated for Oct. 15-16 and 22-23, 2011, unites visual artists with their interested publics by inviting the latter into artists’ homes or studios to witness art-in-the-making and better understand the process.

Though founded three years ago as “Durango” Open Studios, the 2011 event will include visual artists of any medium who have studios in Bayfield, Ignacio or Mancos, as well as Durango, Colo. Registration is available online at www.DurangoOpenStudios.com.

“We have so many artists in our region, we wanted to give those with studios outside of Durango a chance to participate,” said Denise Leslie, publisher, Arts Perspective magazine, the event’s producer. “Because we’re expanding the map, as it were, we have extended the tour to four days over two weekends. Artists will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all four of those days.”

In addition to opening their studios, participating artists are required to provide one piece of original artwork for display at the Durango Art Center, Sept. 9-18, as part of the “Open Doors” exhibition. Designed as a marketing tool and “taster” for the actual Durango Open Studios tours, the “Open Doors” show will be juried and cash awards presented for best of show, 2nd and 3rd places and honorable mention. The opening reception will be held Sept. 9, 5-7 p.m.

           Artists may register for Durango Open Studios any time prior to July 15, and the cost is $150 per artist. Gallery or co-op group registration discounts are available upon request.

           According to Leslie, the non-refundable registration fee will support a cooperative marketing program for the event, including tour guidebooks, yard signs and promotion at various events, such as the Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine & Arts Festival and the Durango Showcase of the Arts, and more. The guidebooks will provide suggested tour “routes” as well as short features on each artist and their work. In addition, a portion of the artist registration fee will be contributed to the Open Doors Arts Education Fund, established to support visual arts education in local schools.

           “This event provides us, as artists, an opportunity to connect with the general public one-on-one. It’s terrific,” said Jane Mercer, fine art oil painter who has participated in Durango Open Studios in the past. “I’ve found that people really want to understand our process and how we create art. Plus it’s a great opportunity for us to market our work.”

           Durango Open Studios is free to the public, though artists are encouraged to have their works available for sale during the tours. For additional information, visit www.DurangoOpenStudios.com.