Attending an Open Studio Event
By Patricia Frischer

Many collectors agree that developing a relationship with the artists is one of the most valuable advantages of collecting contemporary art. Most cities, including San Diego, offer Open Studio tours where the collector gets a chance to see the working studio space and, even more importantly, gets to meet the artists in person. A quote from Ann Howard, an Open Studio visitor sums up the experience, "Thrilled at every stop. Inspiring, but a marathon. Rewarding in many, many ways"

So how do you prepare as an athlete for this participatory sport? And what should your expectation be?

• Find the listing for these events on the San Diego Visual Arts Network.. Check out who selected the artists as the better the selectors, the better the quality of the work you will see.
• Choose your weekend carefully so that it is not too hot and you don't get caught needing tire chains for snow. Make sure and look at information provided to see if studios are wheel chair accessible if necessary.
• Look at the art before you start and plan which artist's studios you want to see. Fees for these events are usually quite low and you do not have to visit every studio. Look for artists who are in clusters together so you see more art for less gas. Take a chance on an artist who catches your attention and don't be too critical at this stage.
• Take a Thomas Guide or any other good map with you. Most tours have signs so be on the look out for these. They tell you when you have arrived at the right place and sometimes mark the route. Some of the most remote studios are the most interesting, so be intrepid. A GPS pays for itself on these tours.
• Almost all of the studios will offer you some sort of refreshment, but try to go with a group of at least four friends and stop for lunch. Ask the artists for their favorite local eateries. Even if you do not go this time, it's good grass roots information. Make a party of the day. Designate a driver.
• Do ask questions. Not all artists are good at making presentations, but most can answer a direct question. You may see work in several mediums or from several periods of an artist's career. Don't be confused by this. The galleries usually limit works for their shows to just one medium but many artist are multi-talented.
• Do ask for prices if they are not posted. If you fall in love with an art work that you cannot afford, many artists will arrange a payment scheme for you. Do not, however, expect discount prices when you are buying directly from the artists. Artists have contracts with galleriesy who get a percentage of everything sold. Also, the extra work of opening their studios to you should be rewarded and not penalized.
• Make sure and take a card or leaflet with you of the artists whose work you liked. Sometimes you need more time to make a decision and this is perfectly allowable. Artists will usually hold a work for a day or two for you, but they will take back up offers, so don't end up a should of , would have , could have been collector. Collectors never dream about the pieces they have in their collections, only the ones they missed.
• Talk to all the other people on the tour. Find out who they liked and why and if they have bought anything. Share your enthusiasms with them as well.
• Sometimes bus tours are offered at a additional charge. These are recommended especially for the South of the Border tours. You won't be able to time your visits yourself, but you won't get lost which does save time.

Artist who agree to open their studios to the public are generally social,
so enjoy this chance to get to know an artist personally
and start a relationship which may enrich your live
in ways you can not even conceive.

Look for other topics in the SmART Collector

Seven Types of Collectors

Commissioning Art - Joan Seifried at Galerie D'Art International written by Lisa Roche (Report on the Art Collectors Round Tables, 2004)

Ten Tips on Collectiong Arts Here is a sample: Trust Your instincts, Educate Yourself, Arrange a Trial Period, Establish a Realationship with the Artist, Bring A Friend, Art can be a Memento, Recycle Art, Look in Unusual Places, Art Shoud Stand the Test of Time and Celebrate your Purchases.

For more information contact info@SDVisualArts.net