North Coast Open Studios Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 North Coast Open Studios Benefit Drawing:
Lora C. won a painting by Julia Bednar
Rachel S. won a wire sculpture by Elizabeth Berrien
Bob F. won a trio of vases by Peggy Loudon

We would also like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the attendee and participant surveys! As a thank you, there are two lucky survey winners as well:

Orr M. won a wood lazy susan donated by Arcata Exchange
Elizabeth B. won a free listing for the 2012 North Coast Open Studios

Congratulations to everyone, and thanks so much for all of your support for Open Studios! We will see you at Open Studios 2012!

Open Studios Continues This Weekend!

The Thirteenth Annual North Coast Open Studios (NCOS) continues this Saturday & Sunday with Weekend 2! NCOS showcases local artists and art businesses, drawing thousands of local and regional visitors to the many studios, workshops, galleries and businesses.

Missed last weekend? Want to see more art? This is your chance to meet the artists firsthand... explore types of work that are both familiar and new to you... and purchase work directly from the artists! Artist are open throughout the county, from Trinidad to Redway.

During this free showcase for the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad spectrum of fine art styles and craft media – including painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry, furniture and ceramics – will display and sell their work to the public.

For a complete list of participating artists, visit our website www.northcoastopenstudios.com. Or pick up one of our 2011 guidebooks at arts friendly businesses throughout the county. For more information, contact Taffy Stockton, NCOS Coordinator by email at contact@northcoastopenstudios.com, or by calling (707) 834-6460.








Top Image: Gigi Floyd in her studio in her Arcata studio & a piece of her artwork. Gigi, NCOS artist #57, will open her Arcata studio for Weekend 2 of North Coast Open Studios.

Bottom image: John Wesa is his studio. “Fernbridge” serigraph by John Wesa. John, NCOS artist # 81, will open his McKinleyville studio for Weekend 2 of North Coast Open Studios.

Open Studios Starts This Weekend!

The Thirteenth Annual North Coast Open Studios starts this weekend, June 4&5. Weekend 1 of NCOS will feature 70 artists opening their studio for the weekend.

Here is your chance to visit the places where art is made as Humboldt County artists open their studios and their creative process to you. Meet the artists firsthand... explore types of work that are both familiar and new to you... and purchase work directly from the artists!

Find a complete list of participating artists at our website: www.northcoastopenstudios.com.

the Studio Ready to Show

Only two weeks away and its time to take stock of my studio. I am lucky enough to have a good sized studio - 14’ x 8’ - but there still never seems to be enough space. I have a well-thought-out system for storing my materials and books, however when I see it through the eyes of a visitor it doesn’t seem very organized at all. Early on I figured out that everything needs to have a designated place or things get lost so I have hooks, containers, cabinets, and shelves filling my studio. It works pretty well for me, but I need to do some tidying up before Open Studios.

First, I need to remove extraneous objects that have crept in over the year. Why do I have the sleeping bags and Packers cheeseheads in my studio? Next I’ll remove my 24” x 24” homemade photography cube which takes up way too much room. New white paper covering my work tables will go a long way towards making the studio clean and fresh. I’ll shake out the rugs, sweep and mop the floor, and maybe tackle cleaning the sliding glass doors if I am really ambitious.

Part of my attention is on finishing a few more fused glass pieces before the big weekend. Just back from Portland with my new assortment of Bullseye glass I am eager to use some new colors and design some brand new pieces. I usually don’t have my artwork hung up in my studio, but I like to do it for Open Studios. So out with my Jamie Wyeth poster and up with some glass. Finally, there is the yard and garden to consider, as my visitors have to walk around to the back of my house in order to get to my studio.

Its really not going to be all that much work, but I do like my studio to look its best for the big weekend. Now its back to the studio!

The Open Studios Preview Show & Reception Will Be Saturday May 7th

Join North Coast Open Studios participating artists for an Artists’ Show and Reception featuring 60+ Open Studios participating artists. The Reception will take place Saturday, May 7th from 6 to 9pm during Arts Alive at the Adorni Center (1011 Waterfront Drive Eureka).

This free event is open to everyone! Take this opportunity to preview artwork, ranging from paintings and photographs to ceramics and textiles, with everything in between.

Visitors will also get a chance to meet Open Studios artists. There will be live music by Gregg Moore and friends, appetizers and a no host wine bar that benefits North Coast Open Studios. And as a special treat for the night: get an early copy of the 2011 North Coast Open Studios guidebook! The guidebook will also be available in the June 3rd issue of the North Coast Journal and in arts friendly venues throughout Humboldt County.

The event is also a fundraiser for North Coast Open Studios. You will be able to purchase tickets for the 2011 NCOS Benefit Drawing, featuring artwork by three fabulous Open Studios artists: painter Julia Bednar, ceramic artist Peggy Loudon and wire artist Elizabeth Berrien. Pieces by all three artists will be raffled off to benefit NCOS, tickets are available for a $5 donation to NCOS.

The show is a sampling of artists who have signed up for North Coast Open Studios 2011. NCOS will take place two weekends in June; The 4th & 5th and 11th & 12th in Humboldt County. About half of this year’s participants contributed a piece for the reception and gallery show.

The show's participants include: Artstreet Studio * Julia Bednar * Elizabeth Berrien * Lexy Cann * Regina Case * Sheldon Chase * Natalie Craig * Saremy Duffy * Eureka Fabrics * Judy Evenson * The Fire Arts Center * Gigi Floyd * Susan Fox * Karen Chase Frazee * Joan Gold * Shawn Gould * Michael Guerriero * Bernice Huston * Dannion Jones * Joyce Jonté * Kahish * David Kelley * Yvonne Kern * John King * Peggy Loudon * Jennifer Mackey * Kathy Marie * Carrie Maschmeier * Libby Maynard * Valerie McIntyre * Lucien Midnight * Linda Mitchell * Gregg Moore * John Nordberg * Origin Design Lab * Kate Purcell * Cheryl Peterson Rau * Allison Reed * Victoria Ryan * Alan Sanborn * Stock Schlueter * Susan Schuessler * Patricia Sennott * Ann Shackleton * Zachary Shea * Kathryn Stotler * Susan Strope * Shannon Sullivan * Christina Swindgler * Reneé Thompson * Linnea Tobias * Alicia Tredway * Unauthorized Art * Steven Vander Meer * Litzy Venturi * Don R Walker * Hana Walt * John Wesa * Hal Work * Libby Yee * Peter Zambas * Dave Zdrazil * Melissa Zielinski


Pictured above (clockwise from top left):
“The Bird” pen and watercolor by John Nordberg
Musician Gregg Moore
“Big Wave” glass piece by Melissa Zielinski
“Lufenholtz North ” painting by Peter Zambas
Rocking chair by David Kelley
“Street Corner in Eureka ” painting by Alicia Tredway
“Marsh, Early Morning“ painting by Alan Sanborn
Shoe music boxes by Ann Shackleton

Why I Participate in the Artist Preview Show

Maybe you're wondering "why should I enter and attend the North Coast Open Studios Artist Preview Show & Reception"?

This is a terrific opportunity for possible patrons to see your work up close and personal! Usually photographed images do not accurately reflect "Art" that has been created ... this is why I paint - photos don't do justice to the images that are created in my mind. And when I send my images off to be scanned, the subtlies of color are never captured.

What better chance will the participants of NCOS have to entice people to come to their studios than participating in this wonderful opening! Please submit your "STAR" piece in this show ... you'll want to shine. If you are in attendance, possible "buyers" will have the opportunity to meet you and begin a true relationship with you and your art. An artist cannot hope for better! Last year we had a fantastic turn out. People were really impressed with the quality of the show - art was Sold - and the public had the to opportunity to see our beautiful raffle items and purchase tickets (please note that these raffled items are going toward the support of the NCOS ... without the raffle this opening and several other benefits will not be possible). I plan on participating in and attending this show... hope to see you there "shining".

Yvonne Kern, NCOS Participant and Steering Committee Member

Advertising in the Open Studios Guidebook

So, every year the guidebook the North Coast Journal does for Open Studios gets better and better. And, every year the Journal offers a great, low cost opportunity to advertise in the book.

The deadline for advertising is coming soon - don't miss this great opportunity to reach out to arts friendly members of our community!

Shane, the Advertising Rep in charge of the project, sent me this email:

North Coast Open Studios is still a couple of months away, but we are currently working out the details of the North Coast Open Studios 2011 Official Guide. If you would like advertise in this year's guide, please contact me soon.

This year's event will be delivered in every copy of the Journal, Thursday, June 2. There will be an additional 5,000 copies available for pre-event distribution beginning May 7. (Total distribution: 26,000.) Deadline is April 14.

Shane Mizer, Advertising
North Coast Journal
707.442-1400 ext.312
cell 707.845.5142
shane@northcoastjournal.com

Last chance to register for Open Studios

Are you thinking about participating in North Coast Open Studios? Did you just realize you missed the deadline yesterday? There is one last chance to get info about Open Studios and register!

We are holding a workshop tonight at the Ink People Center for the Arts on overcoming common hurdles to participating in Open Studios.

As an added bonus, this will be your last chance to turn in an application to participate in NCOS! The registration deadline was yesterday, but applications will be available at the workshop, and participants can apply there!

Or, do you want to submit an application and you can't make the workshop? Call me I can still reserve a spot if you let me know right away! (707) 834-6460

Taffy Stockton, NCOS Coordinator

Deadline to Register for NCOS is Today!

Don't forget, the deadline to register for North Coast Open Studios is today (Wednesday, March 16th)!

You can download an application on our website at www.northcoastopenstudios.com. Applications can be dropped off at the Ink People Center for the Arts (517 Third Street, Suite 36, Eureka - in the Clark Building) today between 9 am and 5 pm.

Also, if you are still unsure about NCOS participation, there is a workshop walking prospective NCOS participants through the process of participating in NCOS. The workshop will be tomorrow (Thursday the 17th) at 6:30 pm at the Ink People office. You will get a chance to ask any questions you have about Open Studios and complete and turn in an application!

Have a question or concern about your application? Can't get your application in today but you really want to participate? Want to find out more about the workshop? Contact Taffy Stockton, NCOS Coordinator at (707) 834-6460.

What Open Studios is for me...

Participating in Open Studios for the first time last June was one of my favorite activities.

I am usually at the Glass Art Society annual Conference which conflicts with NCOS. When it became apparent I wouldn’t be able to go the conference last year, I signed up. After all, I’ve been a committee member for several years.

It turned out to be one of the highlights of my year. It was fun, inspirational, and definitely surpassed my expectations.

In preparation, I cleaned my studio, made new pedestals, added lighting, and rearranged work areas, temporarily turning them into display areas. I was pleased with these long over-due studio activities necessary for inviting the public into my studio.

I told myself if even a few people showed up, it would be worth the effort. Instead, the flow of people all weekend was constant. Opening my studio provided the opportunity for people specifically interested in my work or my media of glass to visit. It was a chance to share our experiences. When participants saw and understood my process, they were surprised how much goes into it. My work, materials, ideas opened up dialogs on shared love of materials, travels, past experiences, relationships, everything imaginable and some unimaginable. I loved every minute of listening and communicating with the wonderful people that stopped by.

There were purchases of my work as well. As an artist making a living from art, that’s always a good thing. However what was especially interesting was what people wanted to purchase that I hadn’t considered selling. People had novel ideas for how they wanted to display pieces they purchased. The comments, ideas, and surprises regarding sales, was extremely worthwhile.
I could write a long narrative encouraging artist participation if you are at all on the fence. The same thing goes for visitors to artists’ studios. The once a year North Coast Open Studios has something to offer everyone and shouldn’t be missed!

Susan Bloch
Glass artist, NCOS participating artist and steering committee member

Pictured above:
Susan Block

Open Studios Workshop & Deadline

Calling All Humboldt County Artists: The deadline to apply for the 2011 North Coast Open Studios is Wednesday, March 16th! Don't miss your chance to participate in this creative showcase for local artists.

Not sure if participation in NCOS is right for you? Have you thought about participating, but decided not to because… Your studio is in a small corner of your kitchen (or bedroom or living room)? Or because you don’t have a business license or reseller’s number? Or you wouldn't know where to begin to actually PRESENT and SELL your work? Or maybe it did not occur to you that people actually buy art in Humboldt County?

Here’s your chance to get answers to these questions and to find out whether or not NCOS is right for you. This could be the first step in turning your passion into a business enterprise. NCOS participating artist and Artist Marketing Coach Extraordinaire Victoria Ryan will be facilitating a workshop on Thursday, March 17th at 6:30 pm at the Ink People office (517 Third Street, Suite 36, Eureka). She will walk prospective participating artists through everything from the essential participation issues to personal accounts from successful local artists.

You will have the chance to find out what is required to participate in NCOS, get tips and suggestions on how to arrange your home studio to optimize your space for public viewing, learn how NCOS can help you market your art, and much more… NCOS Coordinator Taffy Stockton will also be on hand to answer questions.

As an added bonus, this will be your last chance to turn in an application to participate in NCOS! The registration deadline is Wednesday, March 16th, but applications will be available at the workshop, and participants can apply there!

For more information, contact Taffy Stockton, NCOS Coordinator by email at contact@northcoastopenstudios.com, or by calling (707) 834-6460. Find more information on our website at www.northcoastopenstudios.com,

Why I Participate in Open Studios

North Coast Open Studios is a fantastic event for artists to participate in and for people to attend.

I’ve participated for two years (this will be my third) and I have attended for at least five years. It’s a great time of year to be out and about, following the maps and directions to many different studios. The usually favorable weather allows artists to use both indoor and outside spaces providing some beautiful settings for the artwork. Whether you are traveling down a garden path, entering an outside stand-alone studio or coming right in through the front door, the anticipation builds as you approach the artist’s studio.

I love Open Studios from the perspective of an artist as well as a visitor. I enjoy welcoming guests into my studio space. It’s not glamorous – it’s just a lower level room in my house – but I love that space and what I am inspired to do there. Open Studios gives me a reason to clean up and look at the studio through new eyes - what space couldn’t use that? After I get all my jars of ground glass arranged by color, my glass sheets safely lined up in their wooden storage crate, my cutting and grinding area swept clean of little glass shards, and my artwork hung on the walls I feel proud to share this space with visitors.

It’s great to have people who are sincerely interested in your work inquire about how it is made, the materials used, how long it takes to create. These questions often provoke insights I didn’t know I had! Talking with my guests can generate new ideas, help with problem-solving and let me appreciate my work anew. All you artists who are on the fence - now is the time to sign up for Open Studios, you’ll be glad you did!

Melissa Zielinski, Mill Creek Glass
NCOS Participating Artist & Steering Committee Member

Pictured above: Glass plate by Melissa Zielinski

North Coast Open Studios 2011

It's time to start preparing for the 2011 North Coast Open Studios!

The 13th Annual North Coast Open Studios will be Saturday & Sunday, June 4-5 & 11-12.

Want to participate in NCOS? Visit our website: www.northcoastopenstudios.com to download the application form and directions. The deadline to apply is March 16th.

NCOS participation includes a full color listing in our annual guidebook, the option to participate in the Preview Art Show & Reception, access to artist marketing workshops and personal marketing assistance and much more for only $95!

Do you have questions? Want to find out more about Open Studios? View our facebook group page, website or contact NCOS coordinator Taffy Stockton by email at contact@northcoastopenstudios.com or by phone at (707) 834-6460. Remember to check back often for more on what's going on with NCOS 2011!