From the SOMA Artists Studio Tour:
The first Sunday in June brings with it the annual South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour.
Whether you love the arts already or are simply curious about checking out the local talent, June 7 is your day to play patron, collector, or visitor to the arts. Now in its 12th year this grand tour of artist’s studios, art exhibitions and outdoor art boasts over 6o participating artists in studios and venues throughout South Orange and Maplewood. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The two towns are home to a wealth of talented painters, printmakers, sculptors, jewelers and collage artists whose work is for sale in range of prices to fit all pocketbooks. Forty four artists will open their studios to visitors, sharing both their work and their work space to interested tour goers. For those in a hurry, several venues host groups of artists who bring the most beautiful works from their studios to share with the public. Group venues include: 1978 Maplewood Art Center, The Baird, Gallery 103 at Geralyn’s Art Studio, JESPY House, Studio Vert, The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County and the Woodland.
Special Attractions related to the tour follow. Check the dates, some have already begun!
Studio Tour 11 x 14 Exhibition
Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ
On display: May 2015, Artists Talk and Music Reception: Saturday, May 16, 2 pm
SOMA Studio Tour artists exhibit small works. maplewoodlibrary.org
Inspired Minds: Young Artists Exhibition
Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC, One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ
May 16 – August 15, 2015 Meet The Artists Reception: Thursday, May 21, 6 -7:30 p.m.
A juried exhibition of Columbia High School visual arts students selected based on promise shown in their classroom work throughout the year. sopacnow.org
The Facebook Challenge
PIERRO Gallery, The Baird Center, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ
On display: May 28 – June 7, 2015, Opening reception: Thursday, May 28, 6 -9 p.m.
Inspired by the Five Day Art Challenge on Facebook in which artists nominated one another to post three works of art each day for five days. Curated by Micha Hamilton. pierrogallery.org
The Gateway Murals
The Gateway, 9 West South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ
Ongoing
Nine murals facing The Gateway luxury apartments. Oksana Berzinsh, Bill Billec, Mary Jean Canziani, Lawrence Ciarallo, Santiago Cohen, Kathleen Hong, Kevin O’Connell, Roberta Melzl, Franc Palaia. thegatewayso.com
South Orange Library Book Sale
The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ
June 6 & 7, 2015
At the same site as PIERRO Gallery and exhibiting artists at The Baird. Sponsored by Friends of South Orange Public Library. www.friendsofsopl.org
Tony Smith’s TAU
Corner of North Ridgewood Rd. and Mead Street, South Orange, NJ
Permanent monumental work by native son, Tony Smith. Owned by The Village of South Orange.
Artist Interviews:
Studio Tour artists on video. Hosted by Sybil Archibald and filmed and edited by Joy Yagid.
studiotoursoma.org/artist-videos youtube.com/user/somastudiotour somatv.org
Day of Tour Special Exhibitions:
Domareki Gallery at Columbia High School
17 Parker Ave. (M)
Columbia High School AP/Art 4 Students
Judy House (JESPY)
110 Irvington Ave. (S)
Art From The Heart: Artists from JESPY House, Arts, Unbound & Glass Roots
Tenth Muse Gallery
170 Maplewood Ave. (M)
Selected Artists
The South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio tour was initiated by volunteers twelve years ago to celebrate the artists among us and to help make affordable, local art available to all. Both artists and art collectors alike look forward to this one special day each year when the local art scene throws its doors wide open.
Visit www.studiotoursoma.org to preview participating artists and plan your tour with our interactive map. Look for hard copy maps at the Baird Center, 5 Mead Street in South Orange and the 1978 Maplewood Art Center in Maplewood, as well as other hot spots in the two towns.
Brought to you by the South Orange Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs and 1978 Maplewood Art Center. Gold Sponsors: The Gateway Luxury Residences, Jespy House, Whole Foods. Silver Sponsors: Victoria Carter, Eventage, Natalie Farrell. Bronze Sponsors: The Able Baker, Jespy House Tikkun Olam Cultural Arts, Mona Lisa Framing, SOPAC, Suki & Heather, The Tenth Muse Gallery and our many contributors and friends.
