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Have you ever wondered how artists create the things they create? If so, now is your chance to have your questions answered.
From July 31 to August 2, Artist members of the Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) will once again open their homes for the annual studio tour. There is no admission fee, and no schedule to keep - explore at your leisure.
Watercolor artist, designer and owner of The Hanson Gallery, Cynthia Furlong is new to the studio tour this year. The new Hanson Gallery on Main Street in Honesdale serves as the headquarters for the Studio tour this year, displaying at least one piece of work from each artist participating on the tour.
“Stop by and plan your day,” invites Furlong.
The artists work is there both for viewing and for purchase; and the gallery will have maps and information available.
The gallery will host the work of the artists participating in the tour for three weeks prior to the event. In addition to displaying the work of regional artists, The Hanson Gallery is the home of Furlong’s gallery and the first stop on the tour.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to my first WCAA Open Studio Tour in my brand new studio,” said Furlong. “I’m hoping for a good showing this year.”
For Furlong, participating in the tour seemed a natural extension to The Hanson Gallery serving as the studio tour headquarters.
“This is the first time artists have been able to display their work prior to the tour,” she said. “We’re happy to be a part of it.”
Painter, sculptor and ceramist, Ellen Silberlicht is a returning artist this year and is looking forward to the event.
“I think it is so important because in this area we don’t have the cultural arts that larger cities offer. Artists are underground people and this is a wonderful way for artists to connect with the community and vice versa and share a wealth of culture,” said Silberlicht. “Many artists have retreated to Wayne County because of the quality of life that is here, but that doesn’t mean they are not in the thick of things and making wonderful art.”
Acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Barrett George’s studio will be included in the tour this year. Be sure to stop by her studio in the Old White Mills Schoolhouse - see what inspires her and take a peek at what she’s working on today.
Returning artist and event founder, abstract expressionist Ioannis Gykokokalos, affectionately know as Yanni said, “Seven years ago, art existed [in Wayne County]. Art exists and always did exist but either you had to be a high school student or a privileged education [to be exposed to art]. The average person knows who Picasso was, who Rembrandt was, maybe a few others, but that was it. People don’t usually associate art with everyday needs.”
The dream of creating the studio tour was and still is about exposing people to art.
“The education was part of my life and I always thought it was a good thing to make art available to people. ... We formed a board and one thing led to another and we had this studio tour,” said Yanni. “Artists opened their studios and people came and saw sculpture, the gardens, the paintings. People realized artists ... are just normal human beings who like to create beautiful, visual presentations.”
Art adds value to the community and is an asset to residents, he said.
“[Artists]…among us do beautiful things and make our lives richer. The different elements in our society - from the mothers and children to the bankers and real estate people - value the art scene. The people younger and older find an outlet to express their feelings through the visual arts.
“A beautiful bouquet does not have to be roses. It can be a bouquet of daises.”
Have you ever wondered how artists create the things they create? If so, now is your chance to have your questions answered.
From July 31 to August 2, Artist members of the Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) will once again open their homes for the annual studio tour. There is no admission fee, and no schedule to keep - explore at your leisure.
Watercolor artist, designer and owner of The Hanson Gallery, Cynthia Furlong is new to the studio tour this year. The new Hanson Gallery on Main Street in Honesdale serves as the headquarters for the Studio tour this year, displaying at least one piece of work from each artist participating on the tour.
“Stop by and plan your day,” invites Furlong.
The artists work is there both for viewing and for purchase; and the gallery will have maps and information available.
The gallery will host the work of the artists participating in the tour for three weeks prior to the event. In addition to displaying the work of regional artists, The Hanson Gallery is the home of Furlong’s gallery and the first stop on the tour.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to my first WCAA Open Studio Tour in my brand new studio,” said Furlong. “I’m hoping for a good showing this year.”
For Furlong, participating in the tour seemed a natural extension to The Hanson Gallery serving as the studio tour headquarters.
“This is the first time artists have been able to display their work prior to the tour,” she said. “We’re happy to be a part of it.”
Painter, sculptor and ceramist, Ellen Silberlicht is a returning artist this year and is looking forward to the event.
“I think it is so important because in this area we don’t have the cultural arts that larger cities offer. Artists are underground people and this is a wonderful way for artists to connect with the community and vice versa and share a wealth of culture,” said Silberlicht. “Many artists have retreated to Wayne County because of the quality of life that is here, but that doesn’t mean they are not in the thick of things and making wonderful art.”
Acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Barrett George’s studio will be included in the tour this year. Be sure to stop by her studio in the Old White Mills Schoolhouse - see what inspires her and take a peek at what she’s working on today.
Returning artist and event founder, abstract expressionist Ioannis Gykokokalos, affectionately know as Yanni said, “Seven years ago, art existed [in Wayne County]. Art exists and always did exist but either you had to be a high school student or a privileged education [to be exposed to art]. The average person knows who Picasso was, who Rembrandt was, maybe a few others, but that was it. People don’t usually associate art with everyday needs.”
The dream of creating the studio tour was and still is about exposing people to art.
“The education was part of my life and I always thought it was a good thing to make art available to people. ... We formed a board and one thing led to another and we had this studio tour,” said Yanni. “Artists opened their studios and people came and saw sculpture, the gardens, the paintings. People realized artists ... are just normal human beings who like to create beautiful, visual presentations.”
Art adds value to the community and is an asset to residents, he said.
“[Artists]…among us do beautiful things and make our lives richer. The different elements in our society - from the mothers and children to the bankers and real estate people - value the art scene. The people younger and older find an outlet to express their feelings through the visual arts.
“A beautiful bouquet does not have to be roses. It can be a bouquet of daises.”
