It seems so long ago already, now that we’ve elected a new president.  But just last Sunday, 26 Split Rock Cove celebrated 10 years as an artist community in the town of South Thomaston!

A blustery and rainy day, we opened the studios nonetheless, masked and distanced from one another.  Artists were in their studios to talk with two visitors at a time over a period of 5 hours.  In the teaching studio, the work of four artists was displayed – artists who have been in residence over many years, or have taught workshops here and hope to do so again. In my experience over years of getting ready for Open Studios here and in the Boston area, there are some common themes.

First, is finishing your current work so you can put it on display.  It is the most recent expression of ideas and processes an artist has. That push to finish feels imperative and stressful. And like all deadlines, there is the limit of time that gets you over the finish line.

Second, is choosing other work to exhibit. Do you choose work only of the past year, or do you include work that informs the more recent work, or are you eager to sell some older work?  This year, for me, I wanted to include a few examples of older pieces. They seemed to provide a context to the work I’m doing now. That is, my artist book making has travelled from very recognizable books to more sculptural objects in the last 5 years. I wanted viewers to travel that path with me and to hear what they had to say.

Figuring out how to hang or display work is also a part of the preparation. We spent a good part of the week prior to Open Studios bringing in display units, or building small display racks. Just laying out the work takes thought, time.  Like any curating activity, there are lots of decisions, and some fun revelations about what work enhances other work in the hanging.

Finally, once the work is hung or displayed, there is the day of Open Studios itself.  I am fairly practiced at talking about my work, but I don’t get to do it that often.  So it was great fun for me to see friends and new visitors, 2 at a time in my studio, and talk about what I’ve been doing. We hosted almost 50 people here throughout the afternoon.

One visitor said:

So impressed with all you have done to further creativity and community. Your creative work and environment explode with love and imagination and skill and perseverance. 

Thank you to everyone who pushed through the fierce winds to come out, and make their designated slot time. I look forward to many more Open Studios in the years to come!