We all remember that one special day of the school year when, as children, we got to skip school and follow our moms or dads into the office, finally discovering what they did all day while we were busy learning cursive and raising mealworms.
“Take Your Child to Work Day” was the perfect peek into our parents’ professional lives, giving us a chance to see firsthand how they spent their time. The hope was that we’d leave feeling inspired to pursue a career in finance or computer science. But, in reality, most of us walked away with nothing more than a fistful of stolen Post-its and a couple of photocopied prints of our butt cheeks.
Had our parents been artists, maybe we would have been a bit more inspired. For those of us whose parents had, let’s say, less-than-glamorous jobs, Open Studios is the perfect way to relive those glory days of “Take Your Child to Work Day” — only this time around, your parents are cool artists with aesthetically pleasing studios rather than cubicles.
The Open Studios Tour, which continues this weekend and next weekend, is a self-guided tour that allows art lovers and curious visitors to explore the working spaces of a diverse range of artists across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and more. This year, more than 125 local artists will be opening their studios to the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their creative processes and artistic “offices.”
From learning how Lafayette-based artist Chuck Ciceros creates his vibrant impressionistic landscapes, to seeing how Ashton Lacy Jones meticulously layers photography, painting, and printmaking to make a finished masterpiece in her Longmont studio, each tour offers a unique glimpse into the diverse artistic processes across Boulder County.
Open Studios was once limited to Boulder-based studios, but last year the tour expanded to include locations throughout the county. According to Open Studios Executive Director Mary Horrocks, the decision to go county-wide wasn’t simply about enlarging the event. It was about supporting local artists in the places where they live and create.
According to Horrocks, “More and more, unfortunately, because of the cost of living and the rising cost of property, artists are moving out of Boulder and into surrounding towns.” By including locations across the county, the tour ensures that every artist, no matter where they are, can be part of this long-standing event.
“We have three artists who have been on the studio tour and lived in Boulder, who were doing studio tours from their homes, who in the last year have moved to Longmont,” Horrocks said.
While expanding the tour was beneficial for participating artists, it also has proved beneficial for art lovers who might not feel like driving to Boulder to see local art.
“I’ve heard from many people visiting studios in the eastern part of the county who said, ‘We’re so glad Open Studios expanded the tour because we don’t want to deal with the traffic going into Boulder.’ It really met the needs of those attendees, and they were excited to discover and connect with artists right in their own neighborhoods,” Horrocks said.
Those who do feel like making the journey to Boulder, however, can pop by the official Open Studios Preview Exhibit at the Dairy Arts Center. Like a tasting menu for your eyes, this special exhibit features one piece of art from every artist participating in the Open Studios Tour, allowing guests a chance to get a sneak peek of each artists’ work, find pieces that resonate with them, and easily find where the artists will be located on the tour. Each artwork has a QR code that links directly to the artist’s page on the Open Studios website, providing details about where to visit their studio.
Another fabulous feature of this year’s Open Studios tour is the inclusion of a stunning, glossy, fully-colored guidebook that acts as a map and memento for tourgoers, and as a reference sheet for those who can’t make the tour.
“Our guidebook is designed for people who want to really dive into the tour and discover art they love. It’s a beautifully produced, full-color book on glossy paper that you’ll want to keep. Each artist’s email is included, so even if you can’t attend during the tour weekend, you can contact them directly to schedule a private visit and see their work on your own time,” Horrocks said.
The guidebook also highlights parts of the tour that are wheelchair accessible as well as kid-friendly. For Horrocks, making sure that the tour was inclusive was a top priority this year.
“We also prioritize accessibility to ensure everyone has a positive experience. For those with mobility challenges, we indicate accessible locations in the guidebook so no one feels left out or stuck waiting in a vehicle while others explore. Families are encouraged to bring kids, as many artists create activities for children, making the tour a fun, enriching experience for all ages. This helps keep kids engaged while parents browse or speak with artists about a class or a special piece of art for their home,” Horrocks said.
She continued, “It’s all about fostering a love for art early on. I personally came to visual art later in life, and I wish I had discovered it as a child — it’s so important to encourage creativity from a young age.”
So hop in the car and head to Boulder — or Longmont, or Lafayette, or Louisville — and see your new favorite artist doin’ their thang in the studio. Open Studios Tour runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12, 13, 19, and 20, from noon to 5 p.m. each day. For more information, visit https://www.openstudios.org/open-studios-tour.
