Cambridge Buzz: Cultural Wealth

WASHINGTON COUNTY, NY – The second Open Studios of Washington County Tour will take place Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 from 10am-5pm.

Tucked away in farmhouses, barns and old factories throughout the rural villages of Salem, Cambridge and Greenwich, NY, twelve of the area’s finest professional artists invite the public into their studios for this free, self-guided tour. Carousel-style rocking horses, fine gourdwork, bronze sculpture, textiles, mixed media constructions, folk art, paintings and pastels highlight the cultural wealth of this vibrant artist community.

New to this year’s tour is renowned folk artist Will Moses, painter Jeri Macdonald and multi-media artist Hannie Varosy. Returning artists are Joan Duff-Bohrer, Ed Hepp, Serena Kovalosky, Adriano Manocchia, Anastasia Lee Nute, Leslie Parke, Leslie Anne Peck, Virginia McNeice, and Gyula Varosy.

The first Open Studios event took place in 2007, drawing visitors and art collectors from as far away as New Zealand. “People were visibly inspired by the beauty of our rural landscape and impressed with the quality and professionalism of the artists on the tour,” says artist and Open Studios director Serena Kovalosky. “The relaxed atmosphere and intimacy of each studio made it easy for visitors to fully appreciate the artwork and strike up conversations with the
artists.”

“When we opened the doors to our studios two years ago,” says painter and co-director Adriano Manocchia, “we were rewarded by the genuine interest of collectors who were eager to get an intimate view of the creative environment typical of a certain artist. What they took back from this visit was an insight into an artist’s technique and personality.

What they left behind was a renewed creative energy in the artist spurred by their enthusiasm and encouragement. Their fascination with the diverse artistic expressions they encountered in the tour, was equaled only by the discovery of the picturesque beauty of Washington County, a little gem hidden in the heart of New York State and jealously guarded.”

The Open Studios Tour is funded in part by a matching grant from the Washington County Tourism Association. “The Open Studios event helps put Washington County on the map as a cultural destination,” says executive director Marge Mohn. “It's the perfect day trip/weekend excursion, where people can enjoy a quality cultural experience in a rural atmosphere, and also discover the area's fine restaurants and cozy inns.“

Also included in the tour's cultural offerings is a free pre-tour lecture on the creative process, Hearing is Seeing, scheduled for Friday, July 17 at 7pm at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge. On Saturday, July 18, after a day on the road, visitors are invited to share notes with fellow travelers over a glass of wine at a free Open Studios Reception from 5- 7pm at the Rice Mansion Inn, Cambridge. Sponsored by Glens Falls National Bank in Cambridge and the Rice Mansion.

The Open Studios of Washington County Tour will be held from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 & 19, 2009. Brochures and travel information will be available at the Rice Mansion in Cambridge prior to and throughout the tour. Order a brochure online or download a map from the Open Studios website.