By Lori Catlin Garcia
Members of the Granby Artists Association are excited to again offer the annual Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants have been working hard for many months creating beautiful works of fine art and functional pieces to wear, adorn your home and give as gifts. A flyer and map of the tour will be in the October issue of the Drummer, and additional information is available at granbyartists.org Maps can be picked up at Northwest Community Bank.
In prior years, the tour has attracted several hundred visitors who experienced and purchased art in the settings where it was created. Several members will show their work in their home studios, and Lost Acres Vineyard will host three artists this year. An incredible array of media will be represented including watercolor, oil and egg tempera paintings, functional and decorative pottery, glassworks, jewelry, chainsaw carving and paper flowers.
The tour is also an educational event, as participating artists will do demonstrations and discuss how their work is made. Mark Gottlieb and Annukka Ritalahti (Silver Street Glass) will showcase their processes in glassblowing, flameworking and stained glass. Avis Cherichetti and Linda Yurasevecz will converse with guests about their diverse work including high temperature fired stoneware from oxidation, reduction and soda fired kilns as well as Raku and Saggar pieces. Painters Alex Anisimov, Sally Sargent Markey, Laura Eden, Doug Williams and George Mattingly will present fine art in a variety of mediums. Sue Canavan will share her beautiful paper flowers. Also isplayed and for sale will be jewelry (glass/sterling/ Granby Oak earrings) by Lori Catlin Garcia, decorative glass items by Annukka Ritalahti and watercolors and Fimo jewlery by Sally Sargent Markey.
Visitors are asked to wear masks, and follow other posted COVID precautions, such as using provided hand sanitizer, at each venue.
The Granby Artists Association is proud to be an active member of the community, sponsoring a variety of activities throughout the year in addition to the Open Studio Tour. The group also sponsors a scholarship program for a Granby Memorial High School graduating senior.