The 2012 Open Studio Tour will take place over TWO weekends this year and will cover ALL studios located in Orange County. October 13 & 14 will showcase the Eastern half of the County (located East of Route 17). October 20 & 21 will be the Western half of the County (located West of Route 17).
The Open Studio Tour is a free self-guided tour for the public and is open to both visual and performing artists who live in Orange County.
Each artist will need to be available from 11am-5pm both days within their own studio, in a shared studio with other artists, or in a HUB location where several artists will be demonstrating. The purpose of the Open Studio Tour is to provide the public with a self-guided tour of local performing and visual art studios and venues. Orange County artists and arts organizations are invited to open their doors to the public in an effort to educate, communicate and bring about a broader knowledge of the arts. The Open Studio Tour provides a rare opportunity for the public to observe working artists during the creative process. Artists should be prepared to offer explanations and demonstrations of their materials and art process.
The Studio Tour brochure will be an 8.5″X 11 folded booklet with images of each artist’s work, a physical address of their location, their contact information and a brief description of their art. The booklet will also contain information on how to access maps and directions through the Arts Council’s website. A downloadable version of the booklet will also be available on the Arts Council’s website.
The Arts Council charges each participating artist or arts organization a small registration fee to offset the cost of printing. Three thousand booklets will be distributed throughout the county in galleries, hotels, B&Bs, businesses, eateries, art organizations, tourist information centers, libraries and at the Orange County Arts Council offices. In addition, on Friday, October 12, there will be an Open Studio Tour Reception where each artist can display one piece of work, perform a piece or distribute promotional materials. This event is also an opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse of what they might experience during the tours.
Please find attached a program description of the 2012 Open Studio Tour and a registration form. To request a list of prior participants of the Open Studio Tour, please email jen@ocartscouncil.org. If you would like a registration form mailed to you, please email your name and address to jen@ocartscouncil.org.
