Courtesy Photo Poet David Surrette
Jamaica Plain Open Studios will showcase the artwork of over 220 artists at 65 sites including the artists’ studios, the historic Loring-Greenough House, The Brewery complex, the Arnold Arboretum and more this weekend, Sept. 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free.
Throughout Open Studios, visitors can shop for fine art, clothing, jewelry and home accessories while buying direct from the artists. Both emerging and established artists will be selling ceramics, furniture, glass and fiber arts, as well as traditional paintings and photography. This year, more than one-third of the artists are new to Open Studios.
“We have several sites where people can see groups of artists, but visiting artists in their individual studios makes this event truly special,” Coordinator Jean Mineo said. She encouraged the public to go off the beaten path and explore a new studio. “The web site makes it easy to take a look at artists’ work in advance and decide where to go.”
Mineo also highlighted two relatively new group sites at the Farnsworth House at 90 South St. and Central Congregational Church at 85 Seaverns Ave. “Some popular artists that have shown elsewhere in the past are at these new sites this year, so they are definitely worth a visit,” she said.
In addition, Stonybrook Fine Arts at 24 Porter St. will host live poetry readings by the Jamaica Pond Poets and music by Jay Rosenberg on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. as well as welding, casting and moldmaking demonstrations.
Also new this year, visitors will be able to explore local neighborhoods in free walking tours hosted by the JP Historical Society. Tours depart J.P. Licks at 12 and 4 p.m.; and depart from Stony Brook T station at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days.
Free booklets and maps are available at information booths during the event at the Brewery (284 Amory St.), J.P. Licks (659 Center St.) and the Eliot School (24 Eliot St.). Maps and artists’ images are also available as a download from www.jpopenstudios.com. More information is available by calling 943-7819.
Submitted by JP Open Studios.