It’s fascinating to step into an artist’s workplace and imagine that the very air they breathe somehow ignites creativity. There’s something about a paint-spattered floor or broad worktables covered with materials or light streaming onto canvases in progress or the smell of clay – you wish you’d had more fun and freedom in high school art classes, and you think about buying a set of watercolors and some nice paper.
The Shandaken Art Studio Tour gives the opportunity to breathe that air, if only for a short while. The weekend-long open house at local artists’ workspaces will kick off on Friday evening with Art pARTy, hosted by the Woodstock Brewery and Bite Me Bakery Café at Phoenicia Plaza on Route 28. Talk with the participating artists and pick up your free guidebook with maps to more than 30 studios, exhibitions, events and parties. The free opening festivities run from 6 to 9 p.m. Beer is available for purchase.
With studios and exhibit venues open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the self-guided tour will take you all over the Town of Shandaken from Boiceville to Belleayre. And to get a sense of what sort of work is produced by each artist, check out the image gallery on www.shandakenart.com.
The lineup is varied and impressive. Visitors are welcomed to enter the studios of Durga Yael Bernhard, Dave Channon (tour organizer), Karen Charman, Patricia Charnay, Manhee Bak, Michael Boyer, John Byer, Bronson Eden and Lynn Fliegel, Dana Fraser and family, Mary Certoma, Tony Jannetti, Connie Mack (Cornelius McGillicuddy), Astrid Nordness, Margaret Owen, Cari Rosmarin, Christie Scheele, Judith Singer, sunday dawne-marie and Christina Varga.Â
Another Art pARTy will be held on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Phoenicia Arts & Event Space on Main Street in Phoenicia. On Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m., there will be live music by Bozo, featuring T Xiques on drums, Pete Head on guitar and Studio Stu. Catch them at Skinflower Cosmetic Arts on the Boardwalk in Phoenicia.Â
Shandaken Art Studio Tour, Saturday/Sunday, July 20/21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free; (845) 688-2977, www.shandakenart.com.
Join the family! 
