From the organizers of the SOMA Artists Studio Tour:
If it’s the first Sunday in June, it must be time for the South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour. Now in its 13th year, this much loved annual event gives the public a peek into the hearts and minds of local artists through open access to studios, galleries, pop-up exhibitions and more. Always an entertaining stroll through the creative spaces of the two towns, the studio tour is a great opportunity to begin or hone an art collection, or simply buy a work of art for that special place in your home. The 2016 tour will take place on Sunday, June 5 from 11am to 5pm. Sponsored by local businesses; the tour is free to the public. For more information and to access an interactive map visit www.studiotoursoma.org.
There are more than 70 artists, showing in 40 home studios and various venues across the two towns. This year’s Studio Tour also features the homes of two collectors, Pat Bell and Raleigh Ceasar, offering a rare view into their extensive private art collections. Both collectors focus on contemporary art, or as Pat Bell likes to say, “the art of now”. And while their collections include national and international art stars, they also include many local artists who are or have been part of the studio tour in the past. Among them are: Ann Vollum, Luis Alves, Raleigh Ceasar and Judy Targan. The Studio Tour provides a special opportunity for new and experienced art collectors.
The South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio tour was initiated by volunteers 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: EEA Industries, Silver Sponsors: Victoria Carter, Eventage, Natalie Farrell, JESPY House, Whole Foods. Bronze Sponsors: The Able Baker, Raleigh Ceasar, The Framing Mill, SOPAC, The Tenth Muse Gallery and our many contributors and friends.
Whether you visit artists’ studios to learn more about their work and their processes, to buy a unique work of local art to, or to simply get to know your neighbors, the 13th annual South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio tour is a great place to start.
Special Attractions related to the tour follow. Check the dates, some have already begun!
Studio Tour 2016 Special Exhibitions & Events
THE BAIRD
5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
973-378-7754
Pierro Gallery
Gallery Hours M-Thurs. 11-4pm & by appointment. Open for the Studio Tour.
The Things We Keep
May 19-June 18, 2016
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 19, 7-9 pm
Free Artist Talk: Thursday, June 2, 7pm
Six SOMA studio Tour Artists explore the many ways humans feel the need to retain and maintain materially, spiritually, environmentally, through memory, and ideals to which we adhere. Sybil Archibald, Alaine Becker, Susan Napack, Ellen Weisbord, Florence Weisz, and Tricia Zimic. Guest curator: Julia Thomson.
The Geno Project
May 19-June 18
Photographs by Eugene Kappock Curated by Linda Karten and Barabara Dlugosz
Funky Fun Art at The Baird
Pop in and make some art! Family friendly art experience.
Baird Preschool Art Exhibit
2nd Floor
JUDI House: Art from the Heart
Artists from JESPY House, Arts Unbound and Glass Roots.
110 Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079
SOPAC Inspired Minds: Young Artists Exhibition 2016
Herb & Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC
One SOPAC Way, South Orange
https://www.sopacnow.org
Open during the studio tour 11-5pm.
ARTS UNBOUND
www.artsunbound.org
Arts Unbound in the Blockbuster Windows
55 W South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ
Artists have painted the windows as part of the ArtBender fundraiser for Arts Unbound.
https://rallyup.com/art-bender/Campaign
Arts Unbound Showcase
100 Baker Ave. Maplewood, NJ
Shop and Gallery
South Orange Public Library
65 Scotland Road, South Orange, NJ 07079
https://www1.youseemore.com/southorange/
Sunday June 5th, Open 1-5
South Orange Public Library Timeline Exhibit
150 years of library service in context of local, national and international events
The Library & the Village: Digital exhibit in the library – Historical photos
Creative building: Minecraft & Legos Children’s exhibit
Domareki Gallery at Columbia High School
17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
AP Studio Art and Art 4 students
An exhibition of the best of the visual arts at Columbia High School.
The Gateway Murals
9 West South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, On going
https://thegatewayso.com/
Nine murals facing The Gateway luxury apartments. Artists: Oksana Berzinsh, Bill Billec, Mary Jean Canziani, Lawrence O’Connell, Roberta Melzl, Franc Palaia
Live Music and Art at the Woodlands
60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040
All day long during the Studio Tour
Tony Smith Tau
Corner of North Ridge Road and Mead Street, South Orange
https://tonysmithsouthorange.org/
Permanent monumental work by native son, Tony Smith, owned by the Village of South Orange.
