8th Annual Rural Open Studio Tour of Central Maine

Saturday, Aug. 12: Studios and Galleries open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat, 07/29/2017 - 8:30am

    There's MUCH more than mosquitos in Maine north of Route 2, in spite of what you might have heard.  In the rolling hills and farmlands surrounding Skowhegan, Maine is one of the most unique opportunities to visit the amazing home studios of fabulous artists at over 20 Central Maine locations. It's the 8th annual tour, hosted by Open Arts in association with The Wesserunsett Arts Council. The event is free of charge.

    On Saturday, Aug. 12 between 10 a.m. and  6 p.m., see  works in abstract, classical, pastel, mural, folk, metal, wood, pottery, sculpture, hand dyes, quilting, photography and more. Combined with many spectacular summer gardens, it promises to be day of art and beauty that shows that the Central Maine art community is like no other. 

    Please note: The artist studios are located in rural locations; your preferred online mapping systems may not be accurate.  To print a mobile tour map, visit www.OpenStudioMaine.org

    Rural Open Studio 2017 artists

    Smithfield, Mercer, Norridgewock, Anson

    • David Ellis' Japanese-inspired pottery studio at the old Mercer Grange 
    • Kevin James, lakeside setting, beautiful paintings, wood works, custom floor cloths, "objet trouve"
    • Steve and MaryAnn Anderson He: whimsical metal work, blacksmithing. She: intricate quilting and fine stitchery
    • Lynne Harwood and Faith Gilbert, country inspired folk art, quilting and stitchery

    Solon and Wellington

    • Amanda Slamm and Mimosa Mack's Sprig Woodwork, A cut above ordinary. One-of-a-kind handmade bread boards, spoons, tongs, and more. 
    • Stu Silverstein’s never predictable abstracts 
    • Bernie Beckman “reinvention of the figure” abstract paintings, wood-cut prints 
    • South Solon Meetinghouse - spectacular frescoes in an historic and much beloved community building

    Canaan & Palmyra 

    • Heather Kerner's  fiber arts, hand made and dyed wool felt and silks 
    • Barbara Joseph  making the ordinary “extra-ordinary” via photography 
    • Kathleen Perelka's pastel paintings of Maine in Canaan 
    • Doug Frati unique carvings giving new life to antique wood

    Ripley & Hartland 

    • Wally Warren’s  found object art whimsy, bright and bold, an unforgettable campus of color 
    • Joe Kennedy's plumbing parts, glass and metal blended, reinvented
    • Olena Babak - classical works and contemporary pleinair, award winning  
    • Russ Cox, illustrator extraordinaire

    Downtown Skowhegan artists & galleries: 

    • Rama Crystal Brown’s Water Street studio creating “balance through chaos”
    • Central Maine Artist's Gallery, River Roads Artisan's Gallery and OpenStudio@14 Madison Avenue. Artists include C. Abbott Meader, Forrest Meader, Linda Swift, Mary Burr and more. 

    Don't miss: The Skowhegan stretch of the Bernard Langlais Art Trail while you’re downtown.

    Printed maps at various locations in Skowhegan and Waterville including River Roads Artisan’s Gallery, Central Maine Artist’s Gallery.  For more information, message us or write openstudiomaine@gmail.com or call 207-696-0857.