Bob Bruer in His Studio

The search is on to find artists to take part in the Open Studio Tour sponsored by the Orange County Arts Council. This year’s Open Studio will include communities in the northern part of Orange County, those above route 84 including the cities of Port Jervis, Middletown and all of Newburgh, during which Orange County artists and craftspeople open their studios to the public for the sale and demonstration of their work on the weekend of October 16-17. Artists from southern Orange County are encouraged to collaborate with artists in the north and share a studio for the weekend. The decision to split the County into two areas was made because the County is so large and it was just not possible to get around to all the studios in one weekend. The 2011 Open Studio will focus on the southern part of the County.


The Orange County Arts Council is producing this unique event for two equally important purposes: to educate the public about the skill and processes that go into the production of craft and art work and to generate sales during and following the event. It is through education that visitors become loyal customers and supporters of art and craft traditions.


Visitors will find their way to Artists Studios by using the Orange County Open Studio Tour Map which locates and contains directions to the studios. The map will be available throughout the county in galleries, local lodging businesses and tourist information centers, and is also on the Arts Council web site. In addition the map will have a shelf life in that studios with regular business hours will be listed for visitors throughout the year.


Special reasons artists may want to participate in Open Studio are if an artist has recently moved to a new location, refurbished a studio, or opened for the first time, use Open Studio to invite neighbors, clients and friends to see the new environment; use the Open Studio as a special event to offer better prices on certain sections of your inventory; or if others are not normally invited into the studio, use this event as a once a year open house. If an artist does not have a space or the studio is inappropriate for visitors, hubs are being established for artists to display and demonstrate their work that weekend. If you are interested in being part of a group, contact the arts council. This is on a first come, first served basis.


The event offers artists an opportunity to make connections that will be stronger and may possibly result in more lucrative relationships than will a typical craft fair or gallery show. Many artists and craftspeople like this type of event because it is different than other sales venues.


The Arts Council is working with Orange County Tourism to promote this event through their Cooperative Advertising Program, putting together weekend and overnight packages, and distribution of save-the-date postcards and tour maps.


On the weekend prior to the Open Studio Tour, October 8-10, there will be a Preview Exhibition where each artist can submit one piece and promotional materials for display. Friday evening will host a Preview Reception (free to the artists) and the Exhibition will continue throughout the weekend, which is the weekend of the Sugar Loaf Arts and Crafts Weekend where thousands of people will pass through Sugar Loaf and have the opportunity to view the exhibit and pick up materials about the Studio Tour. The deadline for submitting an application for the Open Studio is July 23. Download Application & Guidelines