Cape Ann Artisans 2019 Open Studios

The Cape Ann Artisans have deep roots in the community – connecting artistically and in many other ways with both visitors and residents year round.   This Fall, for the first time, in addition to welcoming the general public, the Artisans will roll out the red (yellow, and orange) carpet for the Cape Ann Plein Air painters who are part of the week long Plein Air event leading up to the 36^th Annual Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios.   The Open Studios take place over the Columbus Day weekend, October 12-14 from 10AM-5PM.

Visitors and local art lovers will have early access to many of the Cape Ann Artisans studios the week leading up to the tour as our local artists will “host” the Plein Air painters in and around their studios.  This unique collaboration came out of a mutual goal of the CAPA group and the Cape Ann Artisans to work more closely with each other and maximize the experience of the visiting artists and patrons.    Marcie Rae, an artisan on the tour, has rallied seven of the CAA to participate in the program.   CAA Artists offering hosting to CAPA artists include Andy Matlow, Beth Williams, Cynthia Curtis, Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, Marge Rack, Rob Diebboll, and Bart Stuyf (currently on sabbatical from the tour.) Each has submitted photos of their neighborhoods to CAPA artists who wish to set up nearby.   If CAPA artists are in the ‘hood,  Cape Ann Artisans will act as local artistic “hosts” providing access to their studios and a place to call “home” while they are out painting.   At the same time, some of the CAA Artists will keep their studios open during the CAPA week for visitors to get a sneak peek before the weekend.    Check specific opening days or activities on the Cape Ann Artisan Facebook page or by calling the individual artist.

The Fall CAA Tour includes  15 unique studios locations and 17 artists sharing works from across the fine art and craft spectrum – pottery, painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, mosaics, prints, textiles, and jewelry, and accessories created in diverse materials –  clay, glass, silk, metals, fibers, yarns, sea glass and more.

Many Artisans have been involved in exciting happenings since the Spring Tour.  Here are some of the highlights and details can be found on the “From the Studio” blog.

• Deb Gonet has begun to enhance her encaustic knowledge base by experimenting with Akua Intaglio inks to create layers of transparency based on the thinness and thickness of the ink.  She credits this new direction to a Viscocity Monotype at Truro Center for the Arts this past August.  Read more about what she plans to do with this new found direction in her recent blog.
• Beth Williams has had a full plate teaching, learning, and creating!  She was recently interviewed in depth on 1623 Studios as part of a new series on Studio 1623 – The Local Life.   Beth will also be making a Pecha Kucha presentation at the November Wearable Art Salon at the Cape Ann Museum.
• Pam Stratton – continued to play with integrating mosaic art and encaustic wax. Her work “Interwoven” won an award for artistic distinction in the annual New England Mosaic Society juried exhibition.   To further her interest and skills in sculpture, she traveled to Bell Buckle, Tennessee, a tiny rural town south of Nashville to study with  Sherri Warner-Hunter, an internationally acclaimed sculptor known for large scale mosaic sculptures.  See her work and learn more on this new blog.
• Marcie Rae engaged in two week long intensive Masters classes in jewelry making to find new ways to showcase her treasure trove of forgotten stones to be set – jaspers, agates, druzy, watermelon tourmaline, jade – a cache of gorgeous multi-colored stones of all sizes and shapes.  She will unveil the new work during the October tour.
• Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco will present new work focusing on some designs using bottleneck tops forming interesting “sea circles.” She is preparing for both the tour and the upcoming Artisan Holiday Show and Book sale at the Museum of Fine Arts this coming November 9th.   She is also leading the Wearable Art “PK” night at the Cape Ann Museum Nov 21st.
• Sinikka Nogelo looks forward to presenting her new work using “stain painting”  which she has produced this summer “en plein air” and anywhere she found interesting space to create!  She has also produced new “Kitchen Egg” series piece, a 7 foot high sculpture using recyclables.   Learn more about this on her blog to be posted soon on the Cape Ann Artisans website.

The Artisans, who have been juried into this tour over time, are among the most established makers on Cape Ann and are active throughout the arts community.  This is a unique opportunity to go directly into the artists’ sphere, see the tools of their artistic genre, and hear their stories.   The tour is self-guided and takes place in Gloucester and Rockport and all studio locations and details are found on the printed brochures found at major tourist locations such as the Cape Ann Chamber, hotels, the Gloucester Visitor’s Center in Stage Fort Park and online at www.capeannartisans.com.

Both individually and as a group, the Artisans are wired on to the artistic map on Cape Ann.  The Tour provides a stage to share the process and the work with the community that has inspired it!  As an organization, the Artisans are members of the Cape Ann Chamber, seARTS, the North of Boston CVB, American Craft Week, and Discover Gloucester.   American Craft Week Celebrates its 10^th year this fall.   CAA has also enjoyed sponsorship from many local business partners who can be found on the brochure.

The 2019 Cape Ann Artisans include these artists with several sharing studios:

David Archibald

Cynthia Curtis

Rob Diebboll*

Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco

Deborah Gonet

Andy Matlow

Anni Melançon

Sinikka Nogelo*

Marcie Rae

Margaret Rack

Mi Robertson

Deb Schradieck

Pam Stratton

Twin Lights Studio: Erin O’Sullivan & Scott Place

Beth Williams

Sara Wright

*Sinikka Nogelo is temporarily sharing space at Rob Diebboll’s studio.