The local arts scene is about to get a bit more vibrant, thanks to Port Washington’s first annual Artists Open Studios Weekend.
This free event runs Friday, Sept. 7, from 5-8pm, and Saturday and Sunday, September 8-9, from 11am-6pm. It’s organized by HEARTS (Helping Enrich The Arts, a non-profit), the folks who brought us PortFest, a day-long event celebrating local musicians and artists that in .
During this weekend-long event, participating Port Washington artists will be opening their studios to the public. The weekend is described as informal and family-friendly, and one that provides the opportunity to meet the artists, view their work and learn more about their process, all while learning about Port Washington’s arts scene.
Port Washington artist Rachelle Krieger – she’s married to Damon Gersh, HEARTS founder and executive director – is spearheading the weekend. Noting that she helped organize the annual opening of a Long Island City open studio event years ago, Krieger says the Port Washington weekend has its own nuance.
“This is a new model that I've developed after participating in and attending many open studio events,” she said. “What makes this event unique is that we are all supporting a common cause, HEARTS, helping to enrich the arts in Port Washington and it's public schools.”
“Another way this model is a little different is that we can include participants up to the day of the event, just by adding them to the website, since we don't have any printed programs in our efforts to be green,” she added. “Also, the event has attracted many shop owners in town who would like to participate by hanging local artists' work. I think next year we will see many more shops in town getting involved.”
Twenty percent of proceeds from sales made by participating artists in the open studio weekend will go to benefit HEARTS PW.
Currently “10 artists are opening their studios, plus more than a dozen other artists exhibiting in other venues throughout town,” she said.
Expect several opening art receptions on Saturday afternoon, where you can see the exhibits and meet the artists. Many of the participating artists have shown their work in museums and galleries internationally, and there will be a wide range of styles on display.
“Since moving to Port Washington nearly 10 years ago, I have been very happy to discover that there is a wealth of artists within this community,” Krieger said. “Not only do we have a tremendous resource of local talent, but we have a community that supports the arts and understands the value that the arts bring to us as a whole.”
Asked to describe the Port Washington arts scene, Krieger said, “I'm seeing everything from realism to abstract in all different mediums including painting, pottery and collage. There is a lot of diversity in the work, which is a beautiful representation of our diversity in Port Washington.”
For a complete program, a map and more information about the event, visit the event's web page. The event, open to the public, will take place rain or shine.
