Promoting the visual arts in Boulder County since 1995
The 2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival
Since 2017, Open Studios has created plein air art events and festivals in Boulder County. After a hiatus brought about by COVID, we are once again hosting plein air artists from across the country to come enjoy the beauty of Boulder County and create paintings capturing images of our local landscape and mountain vistas. We are seeking up to 35 artists for the 2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival, to be held June 1st-June 8th. The 2024 Festival is a plein air (outdoor) painting festival and competition for artists from across the country.
ANNUAL MEMBER SHOW 2023
With special thanks to the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, John Fischer and Teri Ficken, our 2023 Members' Show features one amazing piece from each Open Studios member artist.
All work will be for sale.
Opening Reception: Friday, June 9, 5 to 9 pm.
Exhibit Open Hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 5 pm. Open on the 4th of July: 10 am to 2 pm.
Closing Reception during 1st Friday Art Walk: Friday, July 7, 5 to 9pm.
Location: 291 2nd Avenue, Niwot, CO (former Niwot Feed & Grain store)
More Info: info@openstudios.org | 303.444.1862
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MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2023
This March, visit Open Studios' Month of Photography Exhibit at the Open Studios Office Gallery in 1st Congregational Church, 1128 Pine Street in Boulder. Use the alley entrance at the south side of the church. MORE INFO HERE.
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POP! Gallery now open in two locations for the holidays - downtown Boulder & historic Niwot.
The 2022 OPEN STUDIOS TOUR
is Bigger and Better than ever!
Grab a Map, check out the Preview Exhibit, design your own Tour. 150 artists will have their studios open to the public during the first three weekends of October, noon to 5 pm. There is also an interactive Map of Studios available at openstudios.org/map-of-studios so you can navigate on the go. Then just follow the yards signs to your studios of interest. There is so much to see. Artists will be showing their latest work as well as providing demonstrations.
PREVIEW EXHIBIT RECEPTION: FRIDAY, Sept 30, 5:30 - 8 pm.
Event Co-producer:
2022 PLEIN AIR EVENT, June 3 - 11.
This year’s event is open to any artist from Colorado, age 15 and older, and to alumni of Open Studios’ past Boulder Plein Air Festivals. Registration is required to submit art for the Event’s Awards Competition and Sale on June 11th. Capture all the Boulder County scenes of your choice – open space or urban – by making art en plein in the medium of your choice between June 3rd and 11th, then consign this art for the final exhibit and sale. Artists of any skill level are invited to participate - REGISTER HERE.
Check out the 2022 Plein Air Events Schedule.
JUNE 11, 4 - 8 pm: Join us at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder for the exhibit, reception and art auction of this year's Boulder County Plein Air Event. Artists from around the region will show artwork they’ve created out-of-doors during a week-long plein air competition. All the art is of scenes from around Boulder County. Meet the artists at the reception at 4:00, view the exhibit of between 100 and 200 pieces of original art, and cast your bids for your favorite scenes in the silent auction and during a fun-filled live auction at 5:15. REGISTER HERE for the Reception & Auction.
2022 Event Sponsors:
OPEN STUDIOS OFFICE GALLERY
Boulder Arts Week - Open Studios @ 1050 Walnut
Drop in at 1050 Walnut St in downtown Boulder for artist demos and a tour of outstanding local art. Many thanks to our sponsor, CBRE Property Management.
DOCENT TOUR with Maria Pacca
Thursday, March 31, 11:30 a - 12:30 p
Come see the work of 20 local Open Studios artists displayed throughout this downtown Boulder office building. Tour five floors of art at 1050 Walnut. Docent Maria Pacca has exhibited, taught and lectured throughout the US and Latin America.
FINAL WEEK - The 2022 Annual Members' Exhibit at the POP! closes on Jan 31.
OPEN STUDIOS OFFICE GALLERY
Marshall Fire Recovery Fundraiser Now Online!
Choose from an amazing variety of beautiful art to help us raise money for the hundreds of victims of the Marshall Fire. All artwork has been donated by Open Studios artists. Now available directly from our online gallery or by appointment in our office gallery. Call 303.444.1862 or click GALLERY.
FIRST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 5 - 9 pm
Art-in-the-Park Bears, Silent Auction and Live Music!
Featuring:
The Julian Michael Trio
Light refreshments.
FIRST FRIDAY HOLIDAY SILENT AUCTION KICK OFF
The POPDOWN Art Sale will also be on until we close this location on November 15th. Open daily noon to 6. Later on Sat & Sun.
Light refreshments.
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The first three weekends in October feature The Tour of Artists' Studios. Artists are in residence from noon to 5 pm to welcome you to their studios without appointment. Plan your Tour by visiting our Artist Catalog or Map or visit the Preview Exhibit at the Museum of Boulder.
Tour Artist online listings include their Studio Number and their studios will be marked with yellow Open Studios Tour yard signs. Note, not all Tour Artists are open all three weekends. Use this Directory to find out which weekends each Artist is open.
Click to download a pdf of the printed Tour Map & Index.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT THE POP! GALLERY
Painters at work and beautiful art on sale. Drop in to see our amazing selection of art and gifts from local Boulder artists. You are sure to find something you love!
First Friday Open House, Sept 3 from 4 pm - 8 pm.
Light refreshments and watch artists paint a piece of work by another artist on exhibit in the gallery. Finished pieces will be shown in a special exhibit at a later date.
POP! GALLERY JOINS THE PEARL STREET SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE
This weekend you will find special values and a great variety of art and gifts on the mall in front of the POP! GALLERY. We will be featuring work from over twenty POP! artists. Stop by to check it out or to just say hi!
OUR NEWEST POP! GALLERY OPENS ON THE PEARL STREET MALL
For summer 2021, we are excited to launch our latest POP! Gallery. Featuring 60 local, Open Studios artists, this curated collection of beautiful art can be seen at 1200 Pearl Street, on the lower level, just east of the corner of Broadway and Pearl St. Open 11 am to 6 pm daily, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights. Come by and check out the wonderful array of art and gift items available. MORE INFORMATION HERE!
SPONSORED BY:
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS!
CALL FOR ENTRY! Open Studios Tour & Membership
The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated cancellation of the 2020 Open Studios Tour. In its place, we created a Membership Program, offering year-round opportunities for artists and art patrons. The in-person Studio Tour returns this year and we will continue to offer the newer, very popular Membership Program, open to all artists in Boulder County.
Artists must apply and submit images of their work to the Open Studios jury. From those selected by our jury to become Open Studios Members, our jurors will then select up to 140 of the most outstanding applicants to receive invitations to participate in the Studio Tour. Receiving a Tour invitation does not obligate you to participate. You may be an Open Studios Member without participating in the Studio Tour.
To apply go to CallForEntry.org, register, select “Apply to Calls” from the menu, and insert “2021 Boulder Open Studios Membership & Studio Tour” in the search bar.
This June, Plein Air is Back!
June 4 - 11: We are excited to launch this new, inclusive plein air event in 2021. This year’s event is open to any artist from Colorado, age 15 and older, and to alumni of Open Studios’ past Boulder Plein Air Festivals. Registration is required. All participants may submit up to three pieces painted during the week to be eligible for awards. All submissions will be shown in the Event Exhibit and electronic files can also be submitted for a special online gallery. There will be no application or jury process for this event. Artists of any skill level are invited to register and participate.
During Plein Air Week, we will also be offering a Workshop with award winning artist, Lyn Boyer – "Painting With Cars." Only 15 spaces available. On June 6, Lyn will also have seven one-hour Portfolio Review sessions available. Register Soon – limited availability means first come, first served!
Boulder Strong Fundraiser in conjunction with Elevations Foundation
Choose from over ninety miniature artworks, generously donated by Open Studios artists and others. Proceeds go directly to the Elevations Victims Assistance Fund and everything collected through April 6 will be matched by the Elevations Foundation. Artwork will be exhibited at R Gallery through April, as well as in our online gallery. CLICK HERE for details and to see the gallery.
Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat
Deadline Extended to April 5!
50% of registration fees will be donated
to our Boulder Strong Fundraiser.
It's March Month of Photography
Month of Photography Denver (MOP) is a biennial festival celebrating the art of photography through various events and activities across the region. This year, Open Studios is excited to be a part of this great event. We hosted a Photo Shootout at Walden Ponds, sponsored by Mike's Camera. We have also created a special Online MOP Gallery to highlight Open Studios photographers.
The Shootout Kickoff was Saturday, March 20 at 9 am, but any photos shot at Walden Ponds between March 20 and April 5 were qualified for submission to the Contest. This event was open to all photographers of any age. MORE DETAILS HERE!
Crazy Times Call for Crazy Creations!
For a few weeks in March and April, we held a unique, super fun and FREE contest - Crazy Creations! Thanks to a generous donation from Art Parts, participants just picked up a bag of materials and then created something crazy. The only rule - you had to use the materials from Art Parts for at least 50% of the creation (but did not need to use all the materials in the bag.) This event was open to all and the results were amazing and pretty darn crazy!
Craziest • Commensensical • Comical • Conceptual • Cantankerous • Cutest • Curious • Coolest • Constructive • Commemorative
Happy Valentine's Day!
THE VALENTINE PROJECT: Open Studios artists, family and friends pitched in with others from Resonance Women's Chorus, Sound Circle, Mindful Works, and Paddington Station Pre-school to create over 400 Valentine's Day cards for Boulder County seniors. Handmade valentines were delivered to residents and staff at The Peaks Care Center in Longmont, Mesa Vista and Boulder Manor in Boulder. Art Parts also donated materials for diy-prone seniors! Special thanks to artists: Charles Alkula, Robin Bryant, Cha Cha, Demry Frankenheimer, Cindy Hinkelman-Smith, Khiri Lee, Jean Mitchell, Jean Riordan, Marla Saville and Anne Skok.
The love was much appreciated!
Pet Portrait Quickdraw Extended!
DONATE $75 OR MORE TODAY TO GET A PORTRAIT OF YOUR PET.
Thanks to the generosity of many of our Open Studios artists, for a limited time, your donation and a favorite photo of your pet gets you a custom pet portrait. CLICK HERE to get all the details!
Donor Marcy Miller, owner of Organic Sandwich Company, unwraps memorial portrait of “Lola”, a gift to her friend and Lola’s guardian, Natasha. Charcoal illustration by Open Studios artist George Sanderson.
Open Studios Collaborates With Boulder Housing Partners In Art Enrichment Program For Children
We've just completed a donation of 230 art kits and 40 art goody bags for kids!
Thanks to artists Pat Chapman, Michael Deragisch and Khiri Lee, as well as support from The Community Foundation and Art Parts, this art outreach program has provided local children with a variety of awesome art enrichment activities. Additional thanks to our volunteers for the assembly and distribution of these materials: Kim Dorazewski-Smouse, Pen Volkmann, Deb Volkmann, Michael Knisely, Joseph Jimenez, Claudia Perez and Mary Horrocks. openstudios.org/mobile-art-lab
Please Join Us During This Month of Giving
DONATE TODAY AND RECEIVE A SPECIAL GIFT AS OUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, particularly for non-profit organizations like Open Studios. We would not survive without you, our amazing donors and sponsors. Through the month of December, when you give, you'll receive a premium to keep or give to someone special in your life. Your donation will go a long way to promote local artists and art outreach programs for kids and adults in Boulder County. Click on the image to see all of the options!
2020 Holiday Online Gift Gallery
Tons of great gift ideas from local Boulder artists - photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more - all under $100! Be sure to check out this year's online gift gallery to find the perfect items for everyone on your list. And might as well treat yourself while you are browsing. Here's our gift to you to help celebrate the season - THANKYOU5. Use this code to get $5 off any item in our store with your purchase of $25 or more.
2020 Open Studios Exhibit at the Museum of Boulder
The exhibit, featuring one piece from each Open Studios artist will run from October 2 to 18. Pick your favorites and schedule a studio tour with our web site's new Online Booking feature. Painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry - this exhibit is sure to beautifully represent the incredible and diverse, Boulder creative visual arts community.
Museum Hours: 9 am to 5 pm everyday; closed on Tuesdays. Open till 8 pm on Wednesday.
Masks and social distancing required.
Address & Phone: 2205 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 • 303.449.3464
POP! / The Gallery @ The Bustop Apartments
A new POP! Gallery experience for 2020. Head to The Bustop Apartments to see latest work from a variety of Open Studios artists. Painting, photography, ceramics and more.
SIDEWALK SALE - Thurs Oct 29, Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31!
Wear a costume for a chance in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate.
Opening for First Friday, October 2, 5 - 9pm
Then, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 2 - 6 pm. through October.
Masks and social distancing required.
Address: 4895 Broadway, North Boulder. Parking on the west side of the building.
All FORE! Art - Golf Benefit & Art Exhibit
Friday Oct. 9th from noon to 8:00 p.m at Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville.
Our first annual Golf Tournament-- All FORE! Art featured a socially-distanced 18 hole round of golf, with cocktails and art exhibit afterwards. Taking place at Coal Creek Golf Course on Friday afternoon, Oct 9, the event was a great success with over 125 people in staggered attendance throughout the evening. Music was provided by Steve Glotzer on guitar. The reception was sponsored by Tebo Properties and a unique Plein Air Paint Out, sponsored by Meininger took place on the golf course, with the golfers passing by the various artists at work, situated at different holes. Boco Cider, Mother Tucker Brewery and North Boulder Liquors all helped to keep our participants hydrated.
The Avalon Drive Thru Art Event - a vehicle-based outdoor festival!
Saturday September 26th at The Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe, Boulder.
This free event provided a novel way to browse creative work from 60 local artists, while complying with the state's Covid-19 directives. Visitors stayed in their cars and actually drove through this large, covered exhibit space, with plenty of time to browse and speak with artists. The event was a popular success with over 1000 visitors. Produced in collaboration with artist Rick Dallago and the Boulder Art Association
Congratulations to our first $100 contest winner - ANN NORRIS!
Ann participated in the August Quiz promo and won the drawing for $100 off any item in any of our online galleries. We're pretty sure we made Ann smile....
Virtual Art Classes from Open Studios
Local Boulder company Aspen Mesh is treating employees, who are working from home, to virtual Open Studios art classes one afternoon a month. As part of their initiative to support the physical and mental health of their workforce during COVID-19, these classes began in early September. A number of kids and teens homeschooling with their Aspen Mesh employee parents joined the fun, making innovative hat sculptures out of paper bags with public artist George Peters. See more about George at https://www.airworks-studio.com/.
If you or your business might be interested in virtual art classes, contact mary@openstudios.org.
The National Arts Drive
On June 20, many Open Studios artists participated in The National Arts Drive Day. Everyone got creative displaying their work outdoors - in yards, parking lots, driveways, under tents, in trees, on fences - individually or in small socially distanced groups. Art lovers all over Boulder County took advantage of the scenic views. During this difficult time for galleries and art fairs, on this day, people were once again able to view beautiful and diverse art in their neighborhoods. Thanks to all our participating artists and to the community for coming out and coming together to support our creative community!
The Dakota Ridge Plein Air Challenge
During the week of May 24, Open Studios invited artists and other community members to the Dakota Ridge neighborhood to create art "en plein air" in parks, from street corners, and in the foothills. The resulting work is on exhibit as a walk-by window gallery in the Dakota Ridge Clubhouse on Laramie between Ralston and Pierre Streets (northwest Boulder) from May 30 through June 26. We are excited to offer all the pieces for sale in our Online Shop. Take home a beautiful original foothills perspective from one of the Dakota Ridge Challenge artists!
Many thanks to our Awards Sponsor - realtor Terry Larson, Re/Max of Boulder.
