Open Studios Art Tour

A NEW BLOG

2011-03-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

WE'VE MOVED!
Please visit our NEW and IMPROVED Open Studios Art Tour blog called OSAT Spotlight (http://osatspotlight.wordpress.com/)

On this blog, you’ll find amazing content, photos, inside peeks, and special announcements about participating Open Studios Art Tour artists. Use the blog to get to know artists in the area, plan your Open Studios visits, and get endless inspiration!

Visit the OSAT Spotlight daily, as it is our mission to post as offen as we can, featuring a new artist or gallery each time!

If you are an artist or gallery on the Open Studios Art Tour, are you interested in becoming a featured artist on the OSAT Spotlight blog? ARTS Obispo is looking to publicize this year’s Open Studios Art Tour artists and galleries every way we can! This blog will put the spotlight on an artist or gallery each day (starting in March) until the 2011 Tour!

In order to get this going we need artists to jump on board. Feel like sharing a before and after shot of your work? What about highlighting the tools you use to create your art? There will be a number of themes featured on the OSAT Spotlight blog. If you are an artist who will be participating on the 2011 Tour and are looking to publicize your studio more, contact AO’s Program Director now!

12x12(x12) - Shoes It Yourself!

2010-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of the last fund-raising 12x12(x12) workshops for the 2010 Open Studios Art Tour - Check it out!

Shoe It Yourself! January 22 — 1 to 4 p.m.

Come learn how to transform your old shoes into fabulous new ones with the new leather paints and Margot Silk Forrest’s expert guidance.

In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to transform ordinary footwear into wearable art for your feet! With Margot Silk Forrest’s guidance, you will create a pair of one-of-kind shoes of your own design using her collection of 26 colors of gleaming and metallic leather paints. You will also learn how to glue or stitch on embellishments, add glitter to your shoes, and adapt these same techniques to handbags.

Margot will bring numerous examples of shoes she has created, plus all the paints and other supplies you will need for painting your shoes. There is a materials fee of $8, which includes a set of three paint brushes you will take home.

When you come to class:

Wear or bring a painting smock or old shirt to protect your clothes from the paint — it’s permanent!

Bring a pair of new or used shoes, sandals or boots. They should be made of leather, man-made “leather” or fabric. (Note: Many people bring athletic shoes to paint and are disappointed when they find out that they can’t paint the soles. Paint simply won’t stick to that kind of plastic. However, if you want to paint the upper part of the shoe and are okay with leaving the soles their original white or black, go ahead and bring them.)

If you’re not sure which shoes will work best, bring multiple pairs and/or email Margot at margot@sassyfeet.com.

Call ARTS Obispo now to sign up! 544-9251

For ideas and inspiration, look at the shoes on Margot’s blog. Or on Margot's website.
Margot also has a book you can check out: Sassy Feet! How to Paint, Bead, Bedeck and Embellish Your Shoes, which is available in her online store and in the San Luis Obispo library system.

2010 Review & Looking to 2011

2010-12-29T15:27:00.000-08:00

Catalog Numbers

2,500 catalogs were printed & distributed throughout the county – free for the first time in 2010! (50 were sent out to surrounding county arts councils, in hopes to encourage out-of-county visitors)

1,200 catalogs were downloaded in the month of October from the ARTS Obispo website

Catalogs are available online, adding thousands more ad impressions to the basic printed distribution

All advertisers in the Open Studios Art Tour catalog are listed on our website as a clickable link from Sept. 2011 through Dec. 2011

The 2011 catalog will be available to download from Sept. 2011 – May 2012

Website Numbers

The Open Studios Art Tour page on the ARTS Obispo website received 3,500 unique visits during October

The Online Visual Artist Directory (where all OSAT artists have 4 or more images) received over 6,000 unique visits in October

Over a 6 month period our website traffic increased by 2,150 unique visits and we sustained a half million hits during the same period (Summer/Fall ‘09 and Summer/Fall ‘10). We anticipate these numbers will increase with the launch of our new website in early 2011.

Visitor Numbers

Based on catalog distribution, an estimated 3,700 – 7,400 visitors toured Open Studios last October

Based on artist surveys; there were over 500 out-of-county visitors to Open Studios.

These visitors came from as far away as Alaska, Chicago, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and North Carolina, and as close as Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, the Valley, San Francisco, and San Diego

Demographic Numbers

Based on visitor surveys; 63% of Open Studios Art Tour visitors are over the age of 55 leaving 37% to the visitors age 54 and below

OSAT 2011

2010-12-29T15:25:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE DATE!
Open Studios Art Tour 2011
October 15-16: South County
October 22-23: North County
October 29-30: Encore Weekend Countywide

Directional Signs - How to post them without breaking City Laws

2010-10-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Does your city have strict rules on sign postage for things like yard sales or OPEN STUDIOS? Do not worry! We have some alternative ideas for you!

The easiest would be to buy a few (or make a few) sandwich boards and tape an OSAT Directional Sign to each side - see above.

The other is to:
1. get a bucket... any size
2. pour concrete into the bucket (follow directions for making the concrete)
3. stick a wooden peg/stick into the concrete before it drys
4. tape/glue the OSAT Directional Sign to the wooden stick.
You can then put your signs on any corner without breaking City rules!
Please see above for images of these steps.

All of these supplies can be found at hardware stores like Miners ACE Hardware, Lowes, and Home Depot.

Locations where you can pick up a FREE OSAT Catalog!

2010-09-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

2010 Catalog Locations: Free catalogs available September 15, 2010

North County

Atascadero
The Artery – 5890 Traffic Way. (805) 464-0533
Cambria
Cambria Chamber of Commerce – 767 Main St. (805) 927-3624
The Vault Gallery – 2289 Main St. (805) 927-0300
Los Osos, Morro Bay
Art Center Morro Bay – 835 Main St. (805) 772-2504
Volumes of Pleasure Bookstore – 1016 Los Osos Valley Rd. (805) 528-5565
Paso Robles
Studios on the Park – 1130 Pine St. (805) 238-9800
Templeton
Joebella Coffee – 8793 Plata Ln. (805) 461-4822

South County

Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo
Lund’s – 133 E. Branch Ave. (805) 473-1184
Old Town Nursery – 323 A, W. Tefft St. (805) 929-1084
Seaside Gallery – 580 Cypress St. (805) 773-8057
San Luis Obispo
ARTS Obispo 570 Higuera St., Ste. #165. (805) 544-9251
Cal Poly University Gallery One Grande Ave. (805) 756-1571
Gallery at the Network –778 Higuera St. (805) 788-0886
SLO Museum of Art –1010 Broad St. (805) 543-8562
SLO Chamber of Commerce - 1039 Chorro St. (805) 781-2777
Santa Maria
Gold Coast Art ‘n Frames – 613 E. Main St. (805) 346-6099

It's Almost Here!

2010-09-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Open Studios Art Tour participants,

Open Studios is approaching fast; have you picked up your free catalog, postcards and directional signs? Most of you have, but there are about 70 of you procrastinators that need to stop by!

Monday, September 27th you will be able to pick up extra directional signs! Starting next week you will be able to pick up extra directional signs if you need them. This means; if you've already picked up your 5 signs, and you would like more (for the Encore weekend, etc.) you can come and grab some more. First come, first serve. When we're out, we're out!

The Open Studios Art Tour 2010 Preview Exhibition and 6x6(x6) Show (whew, that's a long title!) is OPEN. Stop by and see over 100 small works created by artists on this year's tour, and the digital presentation of images from all 252 artists as well. The reception is Friday, October 1st from 6-9pm during Art After Dark at ARTS Space Obispo (our gallery attached to the office).

Don't forget to remind your family, friends, and clients that the catalogs are FREE, and direct them to our website to download it, or to view a list of catalog distributors (places they can pick up their free catalog).

Good luck with all of your preparations!

Your Successful Open Studio Begins TONIGHT!

2010-08-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the night to learn how to have the most successful 2010 Open Studio you can possibly have!

Tonight's Marketing Workshop is not just about how to market yourself well by standing out from the 255 artists... it's about every aspect of your Open Studio; from set up to take down, art sales to mailing lists, visitors and assistants.

Are you as prepared as you want to be? Was your Open Studio as successful as you wanted it to be last year? If you're answering "no" to these questions, you need to come to this free workshop.

Listen to experience artists' who have participated in Open Studios for multiple years. Get a packet of information and resources to use for years to come!

If you can, RSVP to the ARTS Obispo office ASAP! (805) 544-9251 - If you call past 4pm and can't get through, show up anyway! The bigger the crowd, the more input we have = better results/ideas for your Open Studio.

ATTENTION ARTISTS!

2010-07-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to sign up for your Personalized OSAT Postcards!
There are 2 options this year:
1. Template – This option allows for a 30 minute appointment. You will choose a template layout, pick a font, and can have up to 3 images.
2. Custom – This option could take up to 45 minutes. It may include more unique layouts, more images, etc.

*Please contact the office to receive more information and the paperwork, 544-9251 or programs@artsobispo.org*

Call the office to sign up on one of these dates:
August 13: 1pm-4pm
August 14: 10am-1pm
August 20: 2pm-5pm
August 21: 10am-1pm
August 31: 9am-12noon
September 7: 9am-12noon

12x12(x12): Celebrating 12 Years of Open Studios, with 12 Creative Workshops, for 12 Participants!

2010-06-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Marketing Workshop 2010

2010-06-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

You’re Invited!

What: MARKETING WORKSHOP 2010

For: Open Studios Art Tour artists

When: Friday, August 20th 6:00pm

Where: ARTS Space Obispo, 570 Higuera St. Suite 175 (in the Creamery)

Cost: Free!

A panel of past participants will hand out and review an informational packet of invaluable information on how to maximize your Open Studios experience. Come join us for this presentation followed by a casual question and answer session giving you clues on how to set up your studio/display space. The panel will give you answers to frequently asked questions and guidelines to help you enjoy and profit from your participation in the largest fine arts event on the Central Coast.

There will be handouts that will help you throughout the year and provide information on how to self promote your art. Past attendees have told us that this workshop helped them to prepare and anticipate what to expect.

The marketing workshop is especially useful for first time participants! So if this is your first time, you shouldn’t miss this! If this is your 10th time, come share your experience with your art community!

RSVP: (805) 544-9251 – or programs@artsobispo.org

Clarification #2!

2010-06-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

For the 6x6(x6) show each artist may submit a 6x6(x6) piece of their artwork.

There has been some confusion due to the way we've worded a sentence in the "Eligibility & Acceptance" section.

If you have a catalog listing you are eligible to submit a 6x6(x6)piece. For married couples or partners who collaborate/make their pieces together (therefore share a catalog listing) they are allowed only one 6x6(x6) piece (as they are listed as "one artist" in the catalog).

If you are sharing studio space with someone, GREAT! Each of you can submit a 6x6(x6) piece... One 6x6(x6) piece per catalog listing!

Questions? Have I confused you further? Give me a call! 544-9251
-Jenna

6x6(x6) Preview Show!

2010-06-01T13:06:00.001-07:00

It’s back! The Open Studios Art Tour Preview Exhibition, a digital presentation of work by all artists in the Open Studios Art Tour and over 100 6x6(x6) small works, will be featured once again in ARTS Space Obispo from September - October 2010. Now is the time to start thinking about your entry into the 6x6(x6) show!

Eligibility & Acceptance: The 6x6(x6) show is open to all artists participating in the 2010 Open Studios Art Tour. One entry may be submitted for each catalog listing. If you are collaborating with another artist and you have one listing in the catalog, then the collaborators are eligible to submit only one entry in the 6x6(x6) show.

The goal is to create a small-scale piece that represents the work visitors can expect to see in your studio. Your piece, including frame, support, display stand, etc., must have a maximum measurement of 6” in any direction. Please note: work submitted that exceeds 6” x 6” x 6” will be not be accepted.

Entry fees: Entry fee is $6 if submitted by Aug 27. Entry fee for work turned in after Aug 27 is $12. Walk-in submissions will be accepted on Sep 10 - 11 only if space is still available in the gallery. No artwork will be accepted after Sep 11th at 2 PM.

Checks made payable to ARTS Obispo may be delivered to the office at 570 Higuera St. Suite 175 or sent to P.O. Box 1710 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Checks preferred, but Visa / MasterCard will be accepted for drop offs during AO business hours. Payment must be sent with registration form (contact office if you didn't get the form via email).

Sales & Pricing: All work must be for sale. Artist retains 70% of sales.

People’s Choice Award: Winners will be decided by viewers’ choice, with a 1st and 2nd place prize awarded.

6x6(x6) Show Schedule:
Aug 27 (Fri) Early registration/payment deadline for the 6x6(x6) show
Sep 10 (Fri) 10 – 4 Drop off 6x6(x6) pieces at ARTS Space Obispo, 570 Higuera Ste. 165 in the SLO Creamery
Sep 11 (Sat) 10 – 2 Last day to drop off 6x6(x6) art work at ARTS Space Obispo. 2 PM deadline.
Sep 20 (Mon) 6x6(x6) show opens to the public at ARTS Space Obispo
Oct 1 (Fri) Art After Dark kick off reception for Open Studios Art Tour, 6 - 9 PM ARTS Space Obispo
Oct 26 & 27, 10 – 4 Pick up unsold work from 6x6(x6) show. Check the Open Studios Blog(openstudiosarttour.blogspot.com) on Mon, Oct 25 after noon for a list of works sold.

Clarification!

2010-05-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

As ARTS Obispo has been lucky enough to have artists volunteering, we have been hearing that some of the OSAT artist community is under the impression that the 2010 OSAT Catalogs will ONLY be online:

THIS IS NOT THE CASE! They will be online; but they also WILL BE PRINTED!!! We plan on PRINTING a minimum of 2,500!

Spread the word! Not only is the catalog free, it will be online & in the printed form you all know and love! Each artist will still get one free catalog!

254 in 2010!

2010-05-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Artist who has turned in their application,
Thank you for signing up for the 12th annual Open Studios Art Tour! You are now part of the largest visual art event on the Central Coast.
This year OSAT has over 250 artists participating and anticipating the arrival of the FREE catalogs (not available until September)!
Please look for emails/posts containing information on:
The 6x6(x6) Preview Exhibition (registration forms available beginning of June)
Postcard Appointments (TBD)
Marketing Workshop (August)

To all the volunteers, thank you! You will be contacted by MARNIE, she is the AmeriCorps representative in our office who will coordinate your volunteer hours with ARTS Obispo. We cannot thank you enough!

Also, DON'T FORGET.... you are now MEMBERS! With that membership you can/should be on the ONLINE VISUAL ARTIST DIRECTORY (OVAD). Please submit 4 images (on a CD) with the correct form (email me to get that form; programs@artsobispo.org).

I know, I know... one more form to fill out, one more disc to burn... but the OVAD is another way for people to see your work! Don't let the thumbnail in the catalog be the only image available. Let the public see what you create! You've already paid for it!

THANKS AGAIN!
-Jenna

2010-03-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Are you in NEED of STUDIO SPACE for Open Studios?

Do you HAVE STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE for Open Studios?

Here is the place to connect with artists for the 2010 Open Studios Art Tour! In the comments section of this post, please indicate what you are looking for!

If you have studio space available, indicate what city, details about your space (how big, indoors or out, wall or table space, etc), if you are looking for a specific medium (i.e. “looking for photography, or paintings,” “anything but sculpture,” etc.) and how many artists your studio space can accommodate.

If you are an artist in need of some studio space, leave your name, brief info about you & your work, and contact information (phone number or email address).

Be pro-active! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to show your artwork during Open Studios’ 12th year (full of exciting changes)!

FREE CATALOGS in 2010!

2010-03-11T13:40:00.000-08:00

Attention Artists!
BIG NEWS!!!
ARTS Obispo has listened to artists’ concerns and is excited to announce that Tickets to the 2010 Open Studios Art Tour will be free. In other words, there will be no charge for Open Studios catalogs this year!
How does that affect you, the artist? This year, ARTS Obispo will print and distribute 2,500 catalogs--4 times the number of last year's Open Studios catalogs--plus the catalogs will be available online! This is a big change from past years and will inevitably increase attendance. This means you can send your close friends, family, distant relatives, and facebook friends a link to the catalog and they can view or download it for free. The more people that know about this event, the more visitors you will have at your studio.
As always, the catalog is another place for you to advertise your craft or business, promote an upcoming exhibit, and support the Tour. Many artists choose to purchase an ad in the catalog to increase their exposure, show additional images of their work, or offer other incentives for people to choose to visit their studio out of the many options for visitors. Shared studios particularly benefit from a quarter page or larger ad to showcase the group. With three artists, a quarter page ad is less than $100 per person. Business card sized ads are just $125 - an incredible value in 2010.
Your Open Studios catalog ad will now reach a much larger & broader audience, with 2500 catalogs distributed and unlimited exposure via the internet. Last year there were close to 4,000 hits on the OSAT webpage in the month of October alone. We expect that number to grow with the catalog available online, for free!
The Open Studios Art Tour is not only a huge effort by ARTS Obispo to advance the arts in SLO County, but it's also our largest fundraiser. Proceeds from Open Studios help AO keep our doors open throughout the entire year. We're taking a financial risk by eliminating the catalog fee for visitors, and we need your support to make this new direction work and for 2010 to be a banner year for Open Studios. Please spread the word to artists, advertisers, volunteers, and supporters. Tell a friend, take an ad, join ARTS Obispo, and forward this email to anyone who might be interested in the largest (free!) art event in San Luis Obispo County, now 12 years in the running!
Please, don't forget to TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the OSAT blog to connect with other artists and stay updated on OSAT news!
openstudiosarttour.blogspot.com

SAVE THE DATE!

2010-02-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

This SAVE THE DATE postcard will be sent out shortly... keep your eyes open!

APPLICATION!!!!

2010-02-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION ARTISTS!
We have had a delay in the OSAT 2010 Application. It will now be available on MONDAY, MARCH 1st!

Applications will be available to download online, as well as for pick up at the office (570 Higuera Street, Suite 175 - SLO Creamery).

Applications will now be due no later than FRIDAY APRIL 9th (late fees apply from April 10th-17th. Applications will not be accepted after the 17th)

If you have any questions, please call us at 544-1522.
Happy Applying!
-Jenna Hartzell
ARTS Obispo Program Director

2009 Open Studios Art Tour Survey Results

2010-02-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

2009 Open Studios Art Tour Survey Results
The 2009 Open Studios Art Tour was a success! Folks seem to be appreciating, and buying, art, even in the recession. Artists have been inspired and the event raised over $40,000 for ARTS Obispo. These funds go to support arts programs throughout SLO County such as Poetry Out Loud, Mini Grants, and Art After Dark. The following are some facts and figures from the Open Studios 2009 surveys:

* 53 survey respondents made over $80,000 in sales from Open Studios, an average of $1500 per participant, an average increase of approximately $600 over 2008
* 31 respondents reported sales for the Encore weekend in excess of $29,000, an average of $946 per participant. This is a significant increase from last year’s responses.
* The average from survey responses was 43 visitors / studio / day, higher than was reported in 2008.
* There were 59 first-time artists on the tour this year
* 73% of respondents reported having visitors from outside SLO County; this number has remained the same for several years. The majority of out-of-area visitors were from the Central Valley, So. California, and the Bay Area.
* The main reasons artists participate in Open Studios are ranked in the following order: 1 – to gain exposure; 2 - showing work; 3 - selling art; 4 - adding to mailing lists; 5 - booking commissions

Please continue to visit this blog, and our website for information on Open Studios 2010! And don't forget to share this link with your artist friends!