By Amy West/Special to the Gazette
Want to meet local artists, get a jump on your holiday shopping, and experience all that Roslindale has to offer? Don’t miss Roslindale Open Studios (ROS), Nov. 1 and 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This unique annual event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, brings together artists, residents and visitors to celebrate their rich and diverse arts community.
More than 80 artists will display their work in 30 locations, including group sites, businesses and home studios. The weekend will also include live music, kids’ art activities, a bicycle tour, and the Roslindale Congregational Church Harvest Fair.
Painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, textiles, jewelry and mixed-media assemblage are just a few examples of the types of art that will be available for sale during this family-friendly event.
New to Roslindale Open Studios and not sure where to begin?
If you’re on your bicycle, go to Adams Park at 11 a.m. on Saturday for an Open Studios Bike Tour by Rozzie Bikes.
If you’re traveling on foot or by car, start your day at one of the three group sites (Roslindale House at 120 Poplar St., the Roslindale Congregational Church at 25 Cummins Highway, or the Emerald Society at 10 Birch St.) and grab a map/brochure and a Home Studio Bingo card. Visit the artists at the group sites, then venture out to see artists at four local businesses (Birch Street House and Garden at 760 South St., Dandelions Flower Shop at 756 South St., Fornax Bread Company at 27 Corinth St., and the Boston Cheese Cellar at 18 Birch St.).
Preview what’s available at artists’ home studios at the Home Studio Artists Gallery at Roslindale House, then check out your favorites to see where the artists create their masterpieces and hear about their inspiration and technique. For each home studio you visit, you’ll receive a Home Studio Bingo sticker. Collect six stickers to enter a drawing to win gift certificates to local businesses.
For fun kids’ activities, go to the Boston Cheese Cellar for face-painting and stop by Kids Art Express at the Roslindale Congregational Church to make free arts and crafts.
While you’re there, listen to funk, rock and R&B by the Tom Appleman Band on Saturday, and hear the Afro-Latin-Caribbean rhythms of Trio Ten Tumbao on Sunday (live music is 1-3 p.m. each day).
“Roslindale Open Studios is so much more than an art show,” says Gary Koeppel, an oil painter (showing at 2 Vista St.) and veteran ROS planning committee member. “I’ve participated since Open Studios began, and the feelings of joy, community and camaraderie grow more each year. If you want to see Roslindale at its finest, come and see us the first weekend in November.”
“People are often surprised to learn that their neighbor, mechanic or their child’s teacher is also a working artist,” says Kasey Davis Appleman, a mixed-media assemblage artist (showing at 9 Lindall St.) and ROS planning committee member. “Roslindale Open Studios allows visitors and residents to make those connections, to get to know artists in the neighborhood, and to purchase hand-crafted items they simply won’t find anywhere else.”
For more information, including a map, event schedule and descriptions of each artist, please visit roslindaleopenstudios.org.
The writer is a member of the Roslindale Open Studios Committee.
Kasey Davis Appleman displays her work at her home studio on Lindall Street during a previous Open Studios. (Courtesy Photos)
A visitor views the Home Studio Artists Gallery at Roslindale House on Poplar Street during a previous Roslindale Open Studios. (Courtesy Photo)