The scope of art seen annually on the Philomath Open Studios Art Tour and Sale covers a broad range from ceramics to oil paintings to glass to ink drawings to jewelry — and that’s just to name a few. Over the next two weekends, the public can visit studios and chat with artists while visiting their world where the magic happens.
Thirty artists will display their work in and around Philomath over the weekends of Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27. The free self-guided tour, which runs from noon-5 p.m., will be held in 13 locations — many of which are the artists’ own studios.
An opening reception is scheduled for 5-6:30 p.m. Friday at Philomath Museum.
Visitors can start their tour at any location (organizers have a map available online that can be downloaded). For those interested in purchasing art, there will be pieces for sale.
“This is your opportunity to question the artists about their materials, techniques and inspiration,” organizers said through a news release. “Perhaps you will be inspired to wake your inner artist and return home with fresh ideas as well as purchased art. Every stop is a unique experience.”
It’s been more than two decades since Philomath Open Studios made its debut. Back in 2003 during the inaugural event, 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 each fall, Philomath-area residents 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 (ceramics), 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 (beaded 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 (wood and resin topographical art) and Jennifer Deily (oil).
- 32848 Hartless Hill Lane — Kris Mitchell (aqueous paintings), Phil Coleman (photography) and Dominique Bachelet (watercolor).
- 812 Memory Lane — Jeff Gunn (ceramics 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 sculpture and works).
- 31364 Peterson Road — Greg Nicol (clay) and Afon Blinov (wood and glass work).
- 24409 Decker Road — Leslie Tejada (painting) and Pat Berman (ceramics).
An exhibition of work from various Philomath Open Studios Tour artists are currently on display at Philomath Museum and Philomath Community Library.
For more information, go online to PhilomathOpenStudios.com not only for the map but artist profiles, multiple images of their work and other details. Philomath Open Studios brochures featuring the map and artist data and images are available at the Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave. in Corvallis, plus other galleries and locations throughout the area.