In its second year, Dedham Open Studios returns with 21 spaces and nearly 100 artists.
Founder Jennifer Barsamian was surprised to get more than a handful of artists at last year’s open studios and had to cap participation at 92 artists.
“Last year we had no idea if artists were going to register,” Barsamian said. “We were hoping for 40. It just went bananas; we were getting people registering every day.”
Barsamian had been on open studio tours in Hyde Park and Newton, and wanted to see how a similar event in Dedham would fare.
Not an artist herself, Barsamian developed an interest in the arts while studying Italian.
“When you study Italian, you study a lot of art,” she said.
Barsamian was more interested in the artists than making art herself. Her husband, Brendan Hayes, is an artist.
“Artists are interesting people and they make beautiful things that make people happy,” Barsamian said. “I’m just all for that.”
The idea behind the open studio tour is that participants get a map and are encouraged to visit a number of locations. This year’s event is Sunday, May 20.
Some of the spaces are artists’ homes; others are gathering places where several artists will assemble, such as the Endicott Estate and the Dedham Community House.
New locations this year include the Allin Church, the First Church and Parish and NewBridge on the Charles.
Art students at the Dedham Public Schools will also participate in this year’s event, with student displays at a children’s tent in Dedham Square.
Also featured this year will be the unveiling of the first five ceramic rabbits as part of the Dedham Public Art Project, which aims to put more than a dozen four foot rabbits throughout Dedham.
There will also be live music at Dedham Square, according to Barsamian.
Diana Bronner, a resident of NewBridge on the Charles and a crafter, will be displaying paper crafts as well as quilts and teddy bears.
“My hands have always loved to create and they tell me what to do,” Bronner said.
Bronner did not participate in last year’s event, but said she thought open studio tours were a beautiful way to bring people interested in arts and crafts together.
“It is a great connector of those who participate, be they artist or viewer or both,” she said.
Dan Mercer, a watercolor painter of homes, businesses and historical sites, did not display his work last year, but participated as a viewer.
In its second year, Dedham Open Studios returns with 21 spaces and nearly 100 artists.
Founder Jennifer Barsamian was surprised to get more than a handful of artists at last year’s open studios and had to cap participation at 92 artists.
“Last year we had no idea if artists were going to register,” Barsamian said. “We were hoping for 40. It just went bananas; we were getting people registering every day.”
Barsamian had been on open studio tours in Hyde Park and Newton, and wanted to see how a similar event in Dedham would fare.
Not an artist herself, Barsamian developed an interest in the arts while studying Italian.
“When you study Italian, you study a lot of art,” she said.
Barsamian was more interested in the artists than making art herself. Her husband, Brendan Hayes, is an artist.
“Artists are interesting people and they make beautiful things that make people happy,” Barsamian said. “I’m just all for that.”
The idea behind the open studio tour is that participants get a map and are encouraged to visit a number of locations. This year’s event is Sunday, May 20.
Some of the spaces are artists’ homes; others are gathering places where several artists will assemble, such as the Endicott Estate and the Dedham Community House.
New locations this year include the Allin Church, the First Church and Parish and NewBridge on the Charles.
Art students at the Dedham Public Schools will also participate in this year’s event, with student displays at a children’s tent in Dedham Square.
Also featured this year will be the unveiling of the first five ceramic rabbits as part of the Dedham Public Art Project, which aims to put more than a dozen four foot rabbits throughout Dedham.
There will also be live music at Dedham Square, according to Barsamian.
Diana Bronner, a resident of NewBridge on the Charles and a crafter, will be displaying paper crafts as well as quilts and teddy bears.
“My hands have always loved to create and they tell me what to do,” Bronner said.
Bronner did not participate in last year’s event, but said she thought open studio tours were a beautiful way to bring people interested in arts and crafts together.
“It is a great connector of those who participate, be they artist or viewer or both,” she said.
Dan Mercer, a watercolor painter of homes, businesses and historical sites, did not display his work last year, but participated as a viewer.
“I loved it last year and wished I had done it then,” he said.
He added that there is no better way to meet people and share work than to do so in person, as the open studio tour allows.
Yvette Lillge, another first-time participant, is a mosaic artist who crafts her pieces out of stained glass.
“The open studio tour is a necessary way to view some of the latest and greatest art in the community,” Lillge said. “Often, this venue is the opportunity to see the beginning works of artists who will someday make it big.”
For Barsamian, the event helps artists have a more established community in Dedham and a voice in town, two causes she is committed to pursuing.
“A community without art isn’t complete,” she said.
For more information about the Dedham Open Studios, visit dedhamopenstudios.org.
Staff writer Dave Eisenstadter can be reached at 781-433-8336 or deisenstadter@wickedlocal.com. Like The Dedham Transcript on Facebook and follow @DedhamTranscrip on Twitter.
