Since 2001 Seacoast based artists have prepared their home studios to open their doors the weekend before Thanksgiving, inviting the public to learn about artists in their neighborhoods, unearth hidden treasures, and buy direct from the maker.
This year the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour (PHAT), celebrating its 24th year, will not disappoint in attracting visitors from around New England who are interested in exploring local art on the seacoast. The upcoming FREE self-guided tour, happening November 23 and 24 from 10am to 5pm both days, will feature seven home-based studios with fourteen participating artists offering visitors a glimpse into the creative lives and homes of local artists. This is the ORIGINAL artist studio tour on the Seacoast giving visitors a chance to jump start their holiday shopping!
Stephen Lichtenstein at the forge
Art is a special, thoughtful, quality gift for any holiday or celebration. Each piece by participating artists is one-of-a-kind and of heirloom quality – a gift that can be handed down from generation to generation. Making a connection with the artist brings the story behind each piece to life. Open studio visits afford time to discuss a gift with an artist who will help you make the right choice for its recipient. The tour offers a low-key atmosphere that welcomes browsing, watching a demonstration, and chatting with the artists.
This year’s tour continues to represent an array of world class artists, featuring some of your favorite studios and welcoming one new artist to this popular event. After years of apprenticing with local blacksmith Peter Happny, Stephen Lichtenstein will be joining the Arts Tour for 2024 with his wrought iron sculptures. Stephen noted, “It’s quite an honor to join with some of the most renowned artists in the community. I watched with delight as the annual tour brought community members into studios to witness firsthand the creative energy that goes into individual artistry. There’s nothing like seeing the planning and work that goes into the creative process and to see the actual environments where people work.”
Bruce Iverson returns to the tour with his Asian brush painting after a brief hiatus. When asked what brought him back to the tour, Iverson shared, “The Holiday Arts Tour is probably the most unique venue for Portsmouth artists. Portsmouth has a lot of local talent that needs to be seen and appreciated, and I feel the Holiday Arts Tour provides that opportunity. I’m pleased to be back.”
Anticipating her participation in this annual event, glass artist Kristina Logan adds, “I am always happy to see new faces and local friends in my studio each year! I love giving demonstrations and sharing the magic of how hot glass forms into beads at the torch.”
Emma Ashby, encaustic painting artist, expressed similar thoughts, saying, “The best part of the tour is introducing people to the medium. A lot of people have not seen encaustic before and to be able to demonstrate the process and see people’s reaction to the medium is so lovely.”
PHAT remains an unparalleled local arts event in our community. The tour is FREE, self-guided, and individually paced. Check out the tour map at www.portsmouthartstour.com and pick any studio to begin your tour! Spend a day or the whole weekend taking in what each studio has to offer. Talk with the artists. Learn about their individual techniques. Some visitors have walked or biked the whole tour, but parking is generally accessible at each location.
Featured artists on this year’s tour include:
- Steven Zoldak and Maureen Mills, handthrown stoneware
- Karen Orsillo, Porcelain jewelry and pottery
- Dyanna Smith, fused glass, beads and jewelry
- Nancy Kanner, whimsical encaustic painting
- Lisa Grey, mixed media collage
- Peter Happny, blacksmith
- Emma Ashby, encaustic painting
- Bill Clarke, en plein air painting and custom furniture
- Lucinda Clarke, hand cut designs and en plein air painting
- Kristina Logan, flamework glass beads and jewelry
- Silas Logan-Barré, illustrations
- Stephen Lichtenstein, wrought iron sculpture
- Bruce Iverson, Asian brush painting
The Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour is grateful to community sponsors Piscataqua Savings Bank located at 15 Pleasant St. and Alie’s Jewelers, located at 1 Market St., who hosts a display in their Daniel St window starting in early November to give passers-by a sampling of the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour. The display is always thoughtfully designed to showcase many of the participating artists.