ArtEast to hold open studio tour

DUTCHESS COUNTY —  ArtEast will hold its 17th annual open studio tour on Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, and also on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22. 

The studios will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour is free and self-guided. ArtEast’s open studio tours began in 2006, when a group of local artists came together “with the goal of bringing an awareness to the art being made ‘east of the Taconic,’” according to ArtEast’s website.

The studios of 27 local artists, including three who are new to the tour, will be welcoming visitors. The tour gives the public a chance to meet the artists and see where they create.

The artists work in watercolor, oil and acrylic paints. There will be potters and photographers and a jewelry maker. Artists who work in 3D, fiber art, alcohol inks, mixed media, and corks will be on the tour. Much of the work will be on sale and some artists be available to take on commissions. 

Starting in Amenia, the tour includes Tilly Strauss, Julian Strauss, and Michael Gellatly on Haight Road. Tilly “plays most of the time in acrylic paint” but also works in watercolor and collage. “Master Maker” Julian Strauss uses “items that seem to abound and clutter our culture” to make his pieces, and considers “chuckles, smiles and even laughter” as the goals of his work. Michael Gellatly works in watercolor and collage. Another Amenia artist is Jack Graf, who works with wine corks to make flags. Those taking the tour might want to make is at the Dover Plains studio of Susan Hennelly, a collage and watercolor artist. 

The tour goes on to the towns of Wingdale, Lagrangeville, Poughquag, Hopewell Junction, Patterson, Pawling, and Holmes. 

The studio tour is organized by the artists of ArtEast. Susan Bores, a jeweler and photographer, said of the tours: “The ArtEast Open Studio Tour offers four days over two weekends to immerse in art and take in peak foliage. Whether you are visiting our new or returning artists, many have been busy creating new artwork for the tour.” 

For a map of participating studios or to plan a tour, visit www.arteastdutchess.com