Julian Open Studios Tour Expands to 20 Artists, New Gallery

by Bobbi Zane

Twenty-one emerging and established professional artists will open their studios to visitors during Julian’s fifth annual Open Studios Tour set for Nov. 13 and 14.

This is a rare opportunity for visitors to meet the artists in their own work setting, discuss current projects, and get an inside look at gallery exhibitions mounted especially for this event. Art collectors will have a chance to purchase or commission original pieces in the intimacy of the artists’ own studios.

This is largest art tour to be presented in Julian with 15 studios open; it has been expanded to include Julian’s newest art showcase, Art@78 Gallery Collection in Wynola. Not normally open to the public, all studios are located within a 7-mile radius of Julian.

Visitors to the studios will get insight into the creative processes used in weaving, glassmaking, painting, sculpture, fiber art, assemblage, stained glass, ironwork, digital collage, photography, watercolors, and printmaking. Participating artists include: Beryl Warnes, Julian Weaving Works; Annie Dover and Stan Goudy; Rachel Pearsey; Charlotte Mitchell; Helen Petre; Don Weeke; Leena Hannonen Chuck Kimball and Nanessence; Ken Wright and Carol Schloo-Wright; Shirley A. Jackson and Coral; Kaya Laudsen; Dorothy Mushet; Ann Reilly; Sally Snipes; Timothy Hinchcliff; and Dexter Mugford.

Art@78 Gallery will host a Gala featuring a selection of art scheduled to be on the tour on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. Works will be on display at the gallery through October. The gallery, located at 4478 Hwy. 78, Wynola, is open Friday through Sunday from 10 to 4 p.m., (760) 765-9944.

Julian Open Studios began in 1999, when a trio of artists living along a country lane decided to showcase their work to locals and visitors on a Saturday afternoon. By 2002, Open Studios had expanded to two days and included works of 19 Julian artists; it drew art-loving visitors from Southern California and beyond.

Maps showing locations of all the studios, priced at $15 each (map sales benefit the new Julian Library), are available at the Julian Chamber of Commerce in Town Hall, (760/765-1857), at Art@78 Gallery (760/765-9944), at Julian Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel (760) 765-1986, and at Wynola Pizza Express (760) 765-1004. For additional information visit www.julianstudios.org.

Julian Open Studio Tour 2004 Sponsors

Angels and Inspiration, Bad Betty’s, Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce, Butterfield Bed and Breakfast, Candied Apple Pastry Company, Chuck Kimball and Nanessence, Eddie Kalish, Fender Family, Jennings Family, Julian Artist Guild, Julian Jams, Julian Merchants Association, Julian Realty, Lay Family, Menghini Winery, Miners Diner, Mom’s Pies, Mountain Spirit Liquor, Oakwood Creek, Orfilia Winery, Red Hawk Realty, Valley Independent Bank, Whippersnappers, Wynola Pizza.