During Open Studios, visitors can enjoy locally created art, clothing, jewelry and home accessories, and can buy directly from the artists. both emerging and established artists will be exhibiting and selling a variety of media including ceramics, furniture, glass, fiber arts, painting, printmaking, mixed-media, sculpture and photography.
Coordinator Mariana Negron-Quinones notes that “the event’s unique energy arises from the public’s interaction with artists in their individual studios” and she encourages visitors to go off the beaten path and explore new studios and new neighborhoods. she is also quick to note that there are several “group sites where multiple artists are showing together that offer a chance to see several styles or media in one place.” Tracking down specific artists, or planning a route through the event can be aided by a visit to the website jpopenstudios.com. As Negron-Quinones says: “The website lets you preview artists and their work to help you decide where you want to go.” Also available on the web site is an iPhone app for a Self-Guided Walking tour of the studios.
Negron-Quinones is excited about the return of the Cheverus group site at 365 Centre Street for the 3rd straight year. This year their hosts at the Hyde Square Task Force are hosting a Kick-Off breakfast fundraiser that will feature treats by numerous JP bakeries as well as performances by youth in their program. The site is literally in the center of Boston’s “Latin Quarter”, situated about halfway between Jackson Square and Hyde Square, and Negron-Quinones is “thrilled that the Hyde Square Task Force and Hyde/Jackson Main Streets have engaged the Latino community in JP to become a larger part of Open Studios.” Negron-Quinones also highlighted two other relatively new group sites: the First Baptist Church at 633 Centre Street, and the Hope Central Church at 85 Seaverns Street. “These sites have a nice mix of new and returning artists and are a definite must-visit.”