And the winners are...

Congratulations to the winners of the prizes from the raffle and survey drawing from this year's North Coast Open Studios!


Raffle Winner
Winner of Alan Sanborn's "Irises and Dirt Road" painting: Jana Genelly

Thank you to Alan Sanborn and North Coast Gallery & Picture Framing for their donations!


Attendee Survey Winner
Winner of the artist's entry for 2010 North Coast Open Studios: Bernice Huston


Participant Survey Winners
Winner of the ice cream cake: Heather Shelton

Winners of gift certificates (for ice cream, shake or sundae):
Meri Scolari, Sharalee Wrigley, Jen Snelgrove, Kristin Kirky

Thank you to Bon Boniere for their donations!


Thank you to everyone who supported Open Studios by purchasing a raffle ticket. Your generous donations helped to raise funds in support of NCOS.

Thank you to everyone who completed an attendee or participant survey, your feedback will help us make North Coast Open Studios 2010 the best Open Studios yet!

Chance to Win an Alan Sanborn Painting and Support NCOS

Here is your chance to own a beautiful original Alan Sanborn painting. This framed and matted watercolor painting will be raffled off on Wednesday, June 24th, and the proceeds will benefit North Coast Open Studios. Tickets are still available. For only $5 you will get a chance to take this beautiful painting home with you!

Call (707) 834-6460 for tickets or more information. Tickets are available until Tuesday, June 23rd for a $5 donation to North Coast Open Studios (c/o Ink People Center for the Arts).

Thank you to Alan Sanborn and North Coast Gallery & Framing for their generous donations! Drawing will be June 24th. Need not be present to win.

And the Survey Says...

Open Studios Attendees:
Do you have feedback on your experience attending North Coast Open Studios? Want to help us plan for next year's event? Complete and return the NCOS 2009 Attendee Survey and you will be entered to win one of five gift certificates (for an ice cream cone, shake or sundae) or the grand prize of a custom ice cream cake!

NCOS Participating Artists:
There's a survey for you too! Complete the NCOS 2009 Participant Survey and you will be entered to win a free listing in the 2010 North Coast Open Studios Guidebook.

You feedback will help us plan for the 2010 event, and make sure it is even better then the 2009 NCOS! Thank you so much for taking the time to complete and return this short survey.
Please complete the survey and return it to: NCOS, c/o the Ink People Center for the Arts, 411 12th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 by Tuesday, June 23rd, and you will be entered to win!

Questions? Contact NCOS at (707) 834-6460.







Thank you to Bon Boniere for their generous support of the arts in Humboldt County!

See Artists in Their Natural Habitat

North Coast Open Studios is a once a year opportunity to see artists in their natural habitats. Artists’ studios are often as much artwork as their creations are. On top of that, most artists do not welcome visitors into their inner sanctums lightly.

So, this really is a very special chance to see, not only what has been created recently, but the older artworks that no longer excite the creative artist as much. A common characteristic of the creative personalities is that they are most excited about what they are working on right now. “If it’s new, it must be the best,” is the artist’s cry. It may or may not be, but it will eclipse thoughts of older artworks. The advantage of Open Studios is that you can actually browse through those older pieces and discover the gems. It’s like a treasure hunt.

The other special feature of Open Studios is the opportunity to get to know the artist whose work you have admired for so long or to meet a new artist and discover their artwork – with the artist right there to talk with you about it. Fabulous!

It pays to plan your studio tour ahead of time. So get your NCOS guidebook and plot your adventure. Two weekends affords lots time to get out around the county and visit all those artists’ lairs.




Left: Painting by Libby Maynard.

Libby, who is the Executive Director of Ink People Center of the Arts, will be open by appointment during North Coast Open Studios. Libby is pictured above (left) with Ink People Program Manager Tanya Nordberg.

Only 10 Days Until North Coast Open Studios!

Can you believe the 11th Annual North Coast Open Studios is only 10 days away? Now is a great time to check out our website: www.northcoastopenstudios.com for a complete list of participating artists, media, and much more...


And, keep an eye out for our 2009 guidebook, which will be in the June 2nd issue of the North Coast Journal, and is available at arts friendly businesses throughout Humboldt County, including:
Ink People Center for the Arts
Morris Graves Museum
Jacoby's Storehouse
North Coast Co-op
Wildberries Marketplace
and many coffee shops, restaurants, businesses ...

What Goes on Behind Closed Doors... from the Humboldt Art Walks Blog

Its always nice to see what other people have to say about North Coast Open Studios.

Art writer and blogger Katherine Almy recently featured Open Studios in her Art Walks Blog in an entry headed "What Goes on Behind Closed Doors".

If you have never had a chance to view Katherine's blog, check it out! Her blog is a wonderful resource for what is going on in Humboldt County's arts community.

What I'm preparing to sell during North Coast Open Studios

by Yvonne Kern, NCOS Artist # 25 and NCOS Steering Committee Member

Having my very own opening is exciting and fun, not only because I get to meet so many interesting people, but also because I can offer to my visitors artistic things that I wouldn't consider trying to market anywhere ... mass production isn't my thing (at least not right now).

So far, the only reproductions of my paintings have been in note cards that I make. And those I offer for sale only occasionally in a few local stores. It's really interesting to see which images buyers choose & which cards sell the best. It's usually a surprise to me. I sell quite a few cards at my studio sale. I have boxed some as gift items that are offered at a substantial savings, and those are popular.

Last year I made sticky note pad books and bookmarks, which I'm doing again this year (but, I'm improving on the designs). I could never sell these items anywhere for the price I can sell them for at my studio. Also, all of those watercolor studies and small oil painting studies which I have painted will be offered at very low prices.

It's wonderful having a set time, with great publicity, to do a "clearance sale". I have so many paintings that it's impossible for me to display them all, and the more I create the less storage space I have, and I Must create new pieces. So, I feel that it's way better for someone else to have an inexpensive piece of original art hanging on their wall than for me to have it tucked away somewhere. It's really difficult dropping the price of a painting, because I only keep images that I really like ... the bad ones get recycled. But, there is only so much room ....what's an artist to do??? Besides when someone gets a really good deal - they're so happy ... it makes me happy. So, now I'm hoping that lots of interested art collectors come on over; they'll find some great deals!

Wishing great sales for everyone!


"Beach Tree Spring"
Oil painting on canvas
by Yvonne Kern

Why am I part of North Coast Open Studios? Because it's important!

by Julia Bednar, NCOS participating artist #10 and Steering Committee Member

I have participated in North Coast Open Studios since the first year it was offered. I continue to open my studio each year because I believe it is worthwhile on many levels.

Humboldt County has a wealth of talented artists, Open Studios is a way to highlight and recognize them.

When people see work hanging in a gallery or a shop for sale they see only the finished product. But getting to visit an artist's work space and see the process one goes through to create a finished work of art is a learning experience that gives greater understanding of the value of an art piece.

For me personally, it is an opportunity to meet new people, to share with them my paintings...both finished and in progress, to explain what I paint and why and to answer questions. I want visitors to enjoy visiting my studio, browsing through paintings, prints and cards. I offer refreshments and lawn chairs for a break on their tour. And visitors are free to walk around my "casual" garden which is usually in bloom in June. Also, a lot of friends and neighbors and fellow artists drop in during the weekend and it's always good to see them.

Name recognition is also important. When I have an art opening, it's always nice to hear someone say, "I remember you. i came to your studio on the Open Studios tour".

While sales are always nice, to me it is more important for visitors to experience what the creative part of an artist's life looks like. I believe that anyone who goes on the open studio tour gains a greater appreciation for the value of our local art and the artists who create it. Also, as we continue on the path to becoming an art destination, open studios will help to assure community support.

Another reason I find Open Studios to be useful to me,,,,it gives me a good reason to
organize and declutter my studio before visitors arrive. Without that incentive, I might put off those mundane chores indefinitely!

All in all, I see Open Studios is a positive and happy experience, both for artists and the visitors who go on the tour.

Image below: Trinidad Bluffs, painting by Julia Bednar

Updates on North Coast Open Studios

Dear participating NCOS Artists: Thanks again for joining the 2009 Open Studios. Things are really coming together, and there is so much going on right now!

Artist Images
There is still time to submit a photo of yourself at work for use in the publication. Action shots are best, but any image of you and your artwork is great. We have a new image request: we are looking for photos of artists’ front doors for use on the poster. If you have an image of your door (preferably closed), please email me the image right away.

Artist Marketing Workshop
We have scheduled the first Artist Marketing Workshop for Thursday, April 30th at 6 pm. If you signed up to participate, you will be receiving more information about it shortly. If you did not sign up, but want additional information, please let me know. Workshop attendance is limited, and reservations are required.

Artist Reception & Show
The Artist Reception and Show is coming up soon! If you signed up to submit a piece, put it in your calendar that you need to have the piece for the show to the Ink People by Friday, May 1st. The Reception & Show will be Friday, May 8th at the Plaza View Room in the Jacoby’s Storehouse, Arcata. If you signed up to participate in the show, you will be receiving additional information soon.

NCOS Signs
The sign order for NCOS will be submitted on Friday, and will be available to pick up after May 8th. We only ordered signs for people who pre-ordered, so if you did not pre-order, but want a sign, please let me know before Friday.

Artist Listings for Publication
If you have not yet proofed your listing, please check it (I emailed it to you on Tuesday) and get back to me with whether or not the listing is OK. We do go to press very soon, so I need to hear back from everyone right away. Didn’t get a copy to proof? Please contact me immediately so I can get it to you.

That is it for the moment. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to working with all of you on North Coast Open Studios.

Taffy
______________________

Taffy Stockton
NCOS Coordinator
(707) 834-6460

Registration Deadline is Today!

Don‘t forget: The deadline to register for North Coast Open Studios is today (Wednesday, April 1st)!

Applications can be dropped off at The Ink People Center for the Arts (411 12th Street, Eureka) between 11 am and 4 pm. Need to make special drop off arrangements? Can’t drop yours off by the deadline? Please call me right away at (707) 834-6460 to make arrangements.

Still need a registration form? You can download one on our web site at http://www.northcoastopenstudios.com/2009reg/OpenStudios2009_Application.pdf

Visit our website at http://www.northcoastopenstudios.com for more information.

Questions? Please call me at (707) 834-6460 or email me at contact@northcoastopenstudios.com.

Taffy Stockton
NCOS Coordinator
(707) 834-6460

North Coast Open Studios Registration Deadline is April 1st

The deadline to register for North Coast Open Studios is coming soon! We need to have all artists registered by Wednesday, April 1st. Due to printing deadlines, we can't accept late registrations, so please get your application in soon.

Need a registration form? You can download one on our web site, and get more information on what's going one for 2009: www.northcoastopenstudios.com

For 2009, we are proud to feature:
A full color guidebook with 28,000+ copies distributed through arts friendly venues, artists and insertion in the North Coast Journal
An Artists’ Show & Reception in the Plaza View Room during May’s Arts Arcata
Artist Marketing Workshops focused on helping you attract more visitors to your studio

Questions? Call NCOS Coordinator Taffy at (707) 834-6460.

2009 North Coast Open Studios: Celebrating 11 years of artist run open studios, working together to foster creativity and contribute to the vibrancy of the Humboldt County arts community.

A note from Shane at the North Coast Journal about the 2009 North Coast Open Studios Guidebook

The North Coast Journal
"Of Politics, People & Art"

Every week the North Coast Journal connects Humboldt County readers with local artists: Arts Alive, Arts Arcata and McKinleyville Arts Night.

In this week's issue of the Journal, a nature painting by Linda Parkinson is featured in support of her show at Blake's Books in McKinleyville. Thirteen other art venues in McKinleyville will feature artists work Friday, March 20 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. (See the March 19th Journal for more details.)

Look to the North Coast Journal on June 4, when the North Coast Open Studios guide will be inserted in the North Coast Journal, connecting a well-trained Journal readership with the largest Humboldt County art event of the year.

Local artists interested in advertising their artwork or open studio, please contact Shane Mizer at 826-2000 or shane@northcoastjournal.com.

"Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art."--Andy Warhol


Shane Mizer
Advertising, The North Coast Journal
Cell: (707) 845-5142
Phone: (707) 826-2000

Win this framed original painting by Alan Sanborn and support North Coast Open Studios!

We have just received this beautiful original watercolor from Alan Sanborn, and we are giving you a chance to take this painting home!

We will be holding a benefit drawing for this painting on June 24th. Tickets are available for a $5 donation. All proceeds benefit the 2009 North Coast Open Studios, a program of the Ink People Center for the Arts. Tickets are available at the Ink People Center for the Arts (411 12th Street, Eureka) or by calling (707) 834-6460. Drawing will be June 24th. Need not be present to win.

Thank you so much to Alan Sanborn for his generous donation.

Image Information: Irises and Dirt Road, painting by Alan Sanborn
Framed Size: Approximately 28” x 36”
Value: $2,000

North Coast Open Studios Guidebook Ad Information

The North Coast Journal, who will be printing our Guidebook this year, has published the prices for advertising in the publication. All ads will be full color, and prices start at $135 for an 1/8 page.

Want to know more? View the ad rate sheet here! Questions? Call Shane at the North Coast Journal at (707) 826-2000.

2009 North Coast Open Studios Website Is Up!

The 2009 North Coast Open Studios Website is up and running!

Check it out today. It has lots of information on Open Studios, including:
Artist Application Form
Artist Information & Directions
What's New for 2009
Press Releases & Media Images
And much more...

Check it out here: www.northcoastopenstudios.com. You can also view the 2008 NCOS site.

Thank you so much to David Thewlis of DCTA, Inc for his time, energy and talent in doing our website!

Want to Blog About North Coast Open Studios?

Are you interested in sharing your Open Studios experience with other artists? We are looking for artists who want to blog on this site!

Blogs can be about anything you think other NCOS artists would be interested in: what you've learned from past Open Studios experiences, how preparations for this year are going, or anything else you want to share.

Email NCOS Coordinator Taffy Stockton at contact@northcoastopenstudios.com to find out more.

Calling All Fortuna Artists

Fortuna artists Susan Cooper & Kay Harden are hoping to coordinate with other Fortuna artists regarding opening on Weekend 1 (June 6-7) of NCOS.

Email from Susan Cooper:
Howdy All Fortuna Artists, Just wanted to let you know that Kay Harden and I are going to participate in Open Studios June 6-7, in Fortuna . I'll have my 15th Street studio open, and she'll have hers at her gallery on 14th Street. I don't have e-mails for a lot of the artists down in our neck o' the woods, so please pass this on if you do. It would be good if we can all coordinate timing to draw visitors. Thanks, Susan Cooper

Please email contact@northcoastopenstudios.com and I will send the email on to Susan. Any other areas interested in doing this? Pairing up with your neighboring artists will help increase turnout for everyone. If you are interested in communicating with other aritsts in your area, please let us know, and we will post it for you as well.

Taffy Stockton
NCOS Coordinator

North Coast Open Studios has joined Facebook

Open Studios now has a Facebook Group (named North Coast Open Studios, of course).

Join the group and keep up with everything that is going on with Open Studios. Not a facebook member? It's easy to join! www.facebook.com.

North Coast Open Studios Gearing Up for 2009!

Welcome to the North Coast Open Studios blog! We are excited to be starting this blog, and plan on using it to keep everyone up to date on what's going on with 2009 Open Studios. Check back weekly for updates and information on NCOS happenings!

Just to start... the 11th Annual North Coast Open Studios will be Saturday & Sunday, June 6-7 & 13-14.

The volunteer steering committee has been hard at work planning this year's event, and is pleased to announce some new features for 2009:

Full Color Publication: This year’s guidebook will be a full color magazine size publication! We are working with the North Coast Journal on producing a high quality guidebook that will be easy to use and show each artists' work in beautiful color.

Artists Show & Reception: We are proud to be hosting an Artists' Show and Reception during Arts! Arcata on Friday, May 8th, in the Plaza View Room. Check back for more information on what is sure to be a great show.

Artist Workshops: Are you an artist who needs some help learning to market yourself? NCOS will be hosting Artist Workshops offering hands-on assistance in marketing your open studio!

Want to participate? Download our the 2009 Application & Directions here!

Want to find out more about Open Studios? View our website or call NCOS coordinator Taffy Stockton. Remember to check back often for more on whats going on with NCOS 2009!