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Peek into artists’ inner sanctums at Open Studio Tour

November 10, 2009 (11:11 am) | Permanent Link

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by Julie Ray

A record-setting 167 artists are taking part in the 2009 Open Studio Tour, the annual look into the inner workings of Pima County’s visual art scene.

And the majority of those studios are Downtown, according to Sally Krommes, events and public art coordinator for Tucson Pima Arts Council, which presents the tour Nov. 14-15.

“We’re glad to see that, despite everything, artists are still producing great work and joining together to take advantage of this organized marketing effort,” comments Krommes.

For the artists, most of who work alone, the tour is a time to connect with the greater community.

“It’s kind of a casual, direct contact with people that you don’t have when you show your work in a gallery” says Elizabeth Frank, who creates figurative work and assemblage out of fallen aspen branches, reclaimed wood and discarded urban materials. “Having people come in and being able to chat with them is really fun.”

Frank’s studio – on the second floor of the Labor Temple at 276 S. Stone Ave. – offers a special treat for guests, an upstairs “secret” room that she has recently filled with her found materials and wood – a giant Joseph Cornell box – and a rooftop view of Downtown.

A backyard garden in Armory Park, with vintage glass nestled in flowerpots and a shrine to a deceased dog, is the whimsical setting for Janet Miller’s reverse glass paintings.

“I have people who have been coming to my shows for years and that’s really great but I love it when people are randomly going around from studio to studio and stumble upon me,” says Miller. This year visitors old and new will be treated to Miller’s newest canvas, windows salvaged from her 100-year-old house. “I’ve always used flat, industrial glass. This old, wavy, bubbly glass has this incredible live liquid quality that comes out in the paintings.”

Photographer Damien Quiroz is a newcomer to the Open Studio Tour. A high school physics teacher by day, Quiroz shares a studio with his wife Giada Gallo and several other artists at the 7th Ave Arts District Studios. Quiroz and Gallo, who teaches high school art and photography, are looking forward to sharing their work with the public.

“What’s exciting to me is even though I’ve been here all my life I’ve really never been able to get a professional opinion,” says Quiroz. “Not only do I get to rub elbows with the community, I get to see what other artists are doing and be a part of the arts community.”

For visitors, the tour presents an opportunity to meet the artists and ask questions in a safe environment. Krommes describes the event as “free arts education all weekend for families.”

“Where else are visual artists there to engage with their work?” Krommes asks. “You see their art in galleries and museums but the artist isn’t there to say anything.”

Take advantage of this opportunity to brush up on your art knowledge. Just bring your walking shoes.

DETAILS

Preview exhibit: Through Nov. 12 at Gallery 801, 801 N. Main Ave., 370-1601, artinarizona.com

Public Tour Kick-Off Reception: 6-8 pm, Nov. 12, Gallery 801

Open Studio Tour: 11 am-5 pm Nov. 14-15; Program directory available at all studios and online at tucsonpimaartscouncil.org

Ceramic sculpture by Dana Smith.