Comments Off on The 21st year of the Tour is in-person!
The Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour has inspired many others, but as THE Original artist’s studio tour on the Seacoast, the quality and variety of artists represented is unparalleled. This year they are returning to their home studios to welcome visitors to share the experience, while supporting Covid-19 best practices.
Celebrating the 21st year of this unique tour, they are pleased to announce that all studios, with only one exception*, are intending to stay open for in person visits. Individual studio guidelines may vary, but social distancing and masks are encouraged. Please, continue to consult the website for up to the minute details.
“Coming out of an unusual year, everyone is looking forward to being in person again.” says Mills, potter and founding member of the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour (PHAT). “This tour has become part of the season’s tradition for artist and visitors alike and we expect to have a great turn-out at all our studios.” Featuring world class artists, PHAT offers a wide variety of work available for sale just in time for the holiday season. Including glass, clay, photography, printmaking, jewelry, encaustic, collage and blacksmithing, this tour is sure to provide something of interest to everyone.
Since 2001 Seacoast based artists have prepared their home studios to throw open their doors the weekend before Thanksgiving inviting the public to learn, unearth hidden treasures, and buy direct from the maker. “We have participated in a number of successful events this year and we’re sure this tour will follow that trend! Sharing with our community to learn more about what we do in our studios is a way we can continue to find success and invite them to continue to support local artists.” says Mills.
This year’s upcoming event features seven in-person studios, with 15 participating artists. Studios that are opening to the public may ask visitors to observe social distancing, limit numbers inside, and require masks to be worn. Visitors can consult the PHAT website for links to individual artist studios and their guidelines. Artists featured on the tour include Steven Zoldak, Maureen Mills, Karen Orsillo, Nancy Kanner, Emma Ashby, Dyanna Smith, Lisa Grey, Peter Happny, Susan Bates, Annie Littlefield, Bill Clarke, Lucy Clarke, Kristina Logan, Reg Logan, and Sophia Logan-Barré.
“I think one of the reasons people enjoy the Tour so much, and come back year after year, is they’ll see familiar artists,” Lisa Grey, print and textile collage artist says. “I also think the variety of medium, style and price range has kept people interested.” This event is self-guided and individually paced. You can spend a day or the whole weekend taking in what each studio has to offer and talking individually with the artists.
Art is a special, thoughtful, quality gift for any holiday or celebration. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, always comes with a story, and is heirloom quality – a gift that can be handed down from generation to generation. Open studio visits afford time to discuss a gift with an artist who will help you make the right choice for its recipient. And while you can certainly start your holiday shopping on this tour, it is a low-key atmosphere that welcomes browsing, watching a demonstration, or just visiting too.
For information and updates on the artists and their studios or to download the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour map, check out www.PortsmouthArtsTour.com and
*Studio 5 will be online only*
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WHAT: Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour; Original seacoast Artist Studio Tour
WHERE: 7 Portsmouth studios, featuring 15 artists
DATES: Saturday and Sunday Nov. 20-21 , 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
INFORMATION & MAP: www.PortsmouthArtsTour.com and
https://www.facebook.com/PortsmouthHolidayArtsTour/