Take the Phoenicia Art Studio Tour

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit some of the artists’ studios that are clustered in tiny hamlets and tucked away up country roads, from Belleayre to Boiceville. The Phoenicia Art Studio Tour offers a weekend-long exploration of the work and workspaces of local area artists who dabble seriously in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, 3-D digital installation, assemblage and collage, wood, steel, iron and glass. More than 30 studios, galleries, sculpture parks and special events will take place in and around the Town of Shandaken Thursday through Sunday, July 16 through 19.

The weekend starts on Thursday evening (as all weekends should, right?) with Jazz Night at Phoenicia Arts Upstairs, from 8 to 10 p.m. ($6), with electric guitarist Peter Einhorn, bassist Lou Pappas, multi-instrumentalist Barry Olsen and percussionist Valerie Naranjo. On Friday, an evening of storytelling, music and spoken word will feature performances by Audrey Rapoport, Anique Taylor, Sparrow, Robert Burke Warren, Violet Snow, Dave Channon, Joel Linchitz and other special guests. “Word of Mouth” will take place on the lawn in front of Mama’s Boy Café on Church Street from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by an open-mic session. (The rain venue will be Art Upstairs.)

On Saturday and Sunday, the open studio tour will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, don’t miss the second opening of the new Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center (CIC) on Route 28 in Mt. Tremper, with its “See Eye See” sculpture park. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, visitors can meet the artists at an opening reception at Phoenicia Arts Upstairs on Main Street. And to wrap things up, make it to a tailgate party and artist mixer at CIC Art Park on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Also enjoy drumming and music at Rita Schwab’s studio, the Phoenicia Flea Market at Graham & Co., the Chichester Canapé Trail featuring gourmet treats by Amy’s Take-away, Wendy’s Vegetarian Cuisine and the ever-present frolicsome atmosphere of a summer day in the Catskills. Maps for the free self-guided tour, a list of the artists and schedule can be found online or at spots all over Shandaken.

Phoenicia Art Studio Tour, Thursday-Sunday, July 16-19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. plus evening events, free, various locations, Town of Shandaken; info@shandakenart.com, www.shandakenart.com. Poster design by Dave Channon.