What is it?
Gorge Artists Open Studios is an annual self-directed art studios tour that distinguishes itself from other tours by giving the public an insider view of Artists at Work in their own studios surrounded by their tools, materials and artwork in every phase of completion.
When is it?
The studio tour is April 13, 14 & 15, 2012. However, coordinating and organizing the event is a year-long process which relies on the participating artists’ volunteer work.
What are the benefits to me, the artist?Gorge Artists Open Studios provides an opportunity to SHOW and SELL your work, BUILD an audience and COMMUNICATE with the public.
- Your artwork will be published in full color in the Tour Guide and on the website with a link to your site.
- You get 5 Tour Guides for free. ($125 value)
- You get 300 post card invitations to mail out. ($80 value)
- Two workshops will give you techniques for making
- Gorge Artists Open Studios an enjoyable and profitable experience. It is a time to network with the other participating artists.
- More than just one weekend a year. The Tour Guide is a resource with your name and contact info that is used by the media, curators, and art buyers all year long. Artists get invited to exhibitions, get written about, teach classes and sell their work because of Gorge Artists Open Studios.
Studios or work spaces must be located in or near communities in the Mid-Columbia region of the Columbia Gorge: Cascade Locks; Stevenson,; Goldendale: Lyle; Hood River; White Salmon; Bingen; The Dalles; Dallesport; Mosier; or Trout Lake.
Jury Process
Applicants will be juried by a panel of outside area arts professionals who base their decisions on a professional quality and artistic vision of the 3 images submitted. A limited number of artists will be accepted.
How do I become a Tour Artist?
Just fill out and return the enclosed 2-page application if you got the email. Burn a disk with 3 current images for 4x6 300 dpi reproduction and enclose two checks – one( $15) non-refundable application fee and one ($125) refundable participation fee, or $300 if opting out of your volunteer commitment. Applications will be juried in November. Application deadline is November 15, 2011.
Much of our communication is via email.
--- You must have an active email account to participate.
How do people get to the studios?
Visitors buy a Tour Guide which has pictures of all the artists’ work, maps, and directions to each of the studios.
How is the event promoted?
Gorge Artists Open Studios has an active publicity and marketing program to inform the public about the event. Advertising spans Portland, Vancouver, the Tri-Cites, Seattle, Bend, and Salem. Regional magazines as well as local press cover the Open Studios event. KC Cowan announced the event on Oregon Art Beat and airs segments of participating artists as well. We set up interviews on the radio and send multiple press releases to all the relevant media.
Download an Application to be Juried:
2012 GAOS application
Artists will build community and business skills, and create new relationships with art patrons outside of the Gorge.
Become an event organizer:
If you’re interested in helping organize this event, contact us immediately. We are on our way, but we need all the help and community power we can get to make the Gorge Artists Open Studios a success. If you’d like to help recruit artists from the region, integrate restaurant and lodging partnerships, seek business sponsors, make presentations to region organizations to get involved in the event, write grants, or help with marketing/advertising/promotion, we want to hear from you.
Send an email to johnmaher@gorge.net or call 541.478-0171 and tell us how you’d like to help.
Attend the event:
Sponsors and artists are working together so artists can open their studios to YOU! A guidebook purchase entitles two people to participate in both days of the tour. Have a great time, support the arts, and be part of the Gorge Artists Open Studios self-guided tour!
Who is organizing this event?
Currently, several experienced volunteers make up the coordinating committee, which consults regularly with the board of the Portland Open Studios (POS) tour, a successful, established event.
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