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Philomath Open Studios offers the opportunity to get in touch with local artists

Philomath Open Studios offers the opportunity to get in touch with local artists

The range of art featured at the Philomath Open Studios Art Tour and Sale each year covers a wide spectrum, from ceramics to oil paintings and glass to ink drawings and jewelry – just to name a few. Over the next two weekends, the public can visit studios and chat with artists as they visit their world where the magic happens.

On the weekends of October 19-20 and October 26-27, 30 artists will exhibit their work in and around Philomath. The free, self-guided tour, which runs from noon to 5 p.m., takes place at 13 locations – many of which are the artists’ own studios.

An opening reception is planned for Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Philomath Museum.

Visitors can start their tour at any location (the organizers provide a downloadable map online). For those interested in purchasing art, pieces are available for sale.

“This is your opportunity to interview the artists about their materials, techniques and inspirations,” organizers said in a press release. “You may be inspired to awaken your inner artist and return home with fresh ideas and purchased art. Every stop is a unique experience.”

It’s been more than two decades since Philomath Open Studios debuted. At its inaugural event in 2003, the tour featured nine artists and two galleries and took place over a single weekend in October. The tour eventually expanded to two weekends, and every fall residents of the Philomath area have become accustomed to seeing those distinctive yellow signs with the hand symbol.

The 13 stops include:

  • 24669 Hidden Valley Road – Kate McGee (pastel, acrylic, watercolor, digital), Ann Lahr (ceramic), Carol Houk (glass), and Steve Terhune (fused glass).
  • Lumos Wine Co. 24000 Cardwell Hill Drive – Debi Friedlander (mixed media and colored pencil) and Emma Marliave (bead art and jewelry).
  • 24108 Highway 20 – Debby Sundbaum-Sommers (painting and printmaking) and Hester Coucke (assemblage).
  • 24108 Highway 20 – Merrill Sommers (metalwork).
  • 33912 Marys River Estates – Justin Woolford (topographical art in wood and resin) and Jennifer Deily (oil).
  • 32848 Hartless Hill Lane – Kris Mitchell (watercolor painting), Phil Coleman (photography) and Dominique Bachelet (watercolor).
  • 812 Memory Lane – Jeff Gunn (pottery and painting) and Brian Egan (wood sculpture and encaustic wax)
  • Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St. – Andrea Heidinger, Ash Jorgen and local students
  • Philomath Scout Lodge, 660 Clemens Mill Road – Linda Herd (metalsmithing), Dennis Johanson (ceramics), Pat Spark (mixed media textile artist) and Melissa Babcock Saylor (cut paper and collage).
  • 5720 SW Donovan Place – Dale Donovan (ceramics) and Courtney Marchesi (acrylics and oils).
  • 3313 Southwood Drive – Vicki Wilson (sculptural and functional ceramics) and Jess Felix (ceramic sculptures and works).
  • 31364 Peterson Road – Greg Nicol (sound) and Afon Blinov (woodwork and glasswork).
  • 24409 Decker Road – Leslie Tejada (painting) and Pat Berman (ceramics).

An exhibition of works by various artists from the Philomath Open Studios Tour is currently on view at the Philomath Museum and the Philomath Community Library.

For more information, visit PhilomathOpenStudios.com online. There you will not only find the map, but also artist profiles, several images of their work and other details. Philomath Open Studios brochures with the map, artist information and images are available at the Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave. in Corvallis, as well as other galleries and locations throughout the region.