After an all-virtual 2020, Open Studios is returning the second weekend in November as an in-person event. As an artist myself, I know how much it means to Greenville’s creative community to be able to welcome our friends and neighbors back into our studios for a peek behind the curtain, inspiring conversations, and the thrill of discovery.
“There are a lot of people who are really ready for this,” says Alice Ratterree, director of operations at the Metropolitan Arts Council. “Circumstances have changed, of course, but for the most part, everyone is incredibly excited. The best thing about Open Studios is that you’re getting to walk backstage. You’re really seeing where everything happens, getting to meet the individual artists.”
The very first Open Studios event had 48 participating artists. This year, the weekend (including a bonus Sneak Preview Day on November 6th) will include almost 100 open doors and 139 smiling faces. “What’s really cool is how this event inspires young and emerging artists to join in,” says Alan Ethridge, executive director of MAC. “They see how successful the weekend is, and it encourages them to apply. Just this year, we have 26 new artists. That’s a great thing from a longevity standpoint.”
Up-and-comers to veterans
Although MAC is encouraging everyone to wear masks this year, every artist will determine their own protocols, so rules on social distancing, masking, and visitor capacity will vary from studio to studio. “Some of these studios are simply a repurposed bedroom in someone’s home, whereas others, like ArtBomb, are huge open spaces,” adds Ratterree. So in short, be prepared to adhere to different guidelines across locations.
“It’s also a great chance to explore the city, to see neighborhoods in Greenville you might have otherwise never had a reason to visit,” says Erin Turner, Director of Marketing at MAC. “A lot of the artists you’ll see during Open Studios don’t participate in events like the First Friday Art Walks, so this is a really special weekend, a rare chance to see their work and meet them.”
Five artists you’ll want to keep an eye on this year are the Dwain Skinner Open Studios Fellows, participating in the event for the first time. These up-and-coming artists were hand-selected by the MAC executive committee and were chosen for their diverse portfolios. The fellowship is named in honor of much-loved local artist Dwain Skinner, a gifted designer and sculptor who passed away unexpectedly in 2019.
If this is your first-ever Open Studios, the team at MAC highly recommends visiting these five established artists, too—a talented group who have been participating in the event from the very beginning: Paul Flint, Diane Kilgore Condon, Lynn Greer, Shannon McGee, and Pat Kilburg.
Navigating Open Studios weekend
If you’re still feeling a little overwhelmed by the choices when plotting your weekend, Ethridge invites you to make the MAC Gallery your first stop. “We always want people to stop in and see the opening (12×12-in) exhibit. You can see all of the participating artists’ work in person and figure out which studios you want to visit.” Pro tip: these 12×12 pieces are created just for this show, and they sell out fast—so get there early if you’re hoping to take one home.
Ready to dive in? Download the Open Studios App, or grab a copy of the official catalog, which is distributed all across town. “The app allows you to filter artists by medium, by who will be open on the Sneak Preview Day, by wheelchair accessibility… you can save favorites and the app will generate a map for you,” Turner adds.
The MAC team insists on one thing above all: enjoy the adventure. “Plan out your route if you’re a planner, don’t plan it out if you’re not. You can use the app to decide as you go. You can see one studio, or twenty. Make your own way,” smiles Ratterree. Ethridge adds, “My advice? Just go and have a good time. It’s always a great experience.”
Greenville Open Studios 2021, November 13–14. Sneak preview day, Sat, Nov 6, 10am–6pm. greenvilleopenstudios.com
