Meet the artists behind the art at Open Studio Weekend

Artists from all over Louisville will open their doors Nov. 5 and 6 for Open Studio Weekend 2016. The event gives anyone who appreciates art -- from enthusiasts to collectors -- the opportunity to step inside participating studios where they can interact with artists and personally experience how and where local art is made. They may see artists at work, get a glimpse of the process of making art, and in some cases, take advantage of studio sales.

"Open Studio Weekend is our art community's annual update. There's no better way to get to know our artists, their work and the creative power of our city," said Chris Reitz, Gallery Director of UofL's Hite Art Institute, which hosts the event along with Louisville Visual Art.

[caption id="attachment_33458" align="alignright" width="4000"] Sarah Katherine Davis Photography[/caption]

Now in its fourth year, the event has become so popular, with more than 20,000 visits to studios last year, event organizers added a new opportunity. This year, the Open Studio Weekend Exhibition at the Cressman Center for Visual Arts is juried. Three regionally-renowned curators serve as judges for the show: Kate Bonansinga, director of the School of Art in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at University of Cincinnati; Matt Distel, Exhibitions Director for The Carnegie in Covington and adjunct curator for the Cincinnati Art Museum; and Max Weintraub, galleries director at Indiana University's Herron School of Art & Design.

"It is heartening to see such a diverse range of objects and interests represented in the arts community of Louisville. It was a pleasure to participate as a juror and gives me confidence in the long-term health of art making in this region," Distel said. 

[caption id="attachment_33459" align="alignleft" width="800"] Sarah Katherine Davis Photography[/caption]

All proceeds from the weekend tour benefit the Mary Spencer Nay scholarship at UofL and Children's Fine Art Classes through LVA.

"Open Studio Weekend is the perfect occasion to discover local artists and embrace the opportunity to invest in original art," said Lindy Casebier, LVA's Executive Director.

The event launch party is from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Cressman Center. Open Studio is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 5 and noon to5 p.m. Nov. 6. The cost is $20 or $10 for students, art educators, seniors and LVA members, which allows participants to visit as many studios as they like and includes a nearly 50-page studio guide with area maps with suggested routes, artist locations, information and images of artists' work. An event phone app is also available. Tickets can be purchased at the Cressman Center or online. 

[caption id="attachment_33460" align="alignnone" width="4000"] Sarah Katherine Davis Photography[/caption]