Artists who open their studios to you are doing it because they want to share their work, their interests and their process with you.
When you go to the museum and see things on the wall, do you ever wonder, "what was that about?What was that artist thinking? What did they mean by that?" Have you ever seen a piece of art, been deeply moved, and thought, "I wonder if what I see here is what the artist sees too?" Communicating is not always an easy business, and the form of the message and the content of the message are two separate things. Works of art can combine many layers of information and contain many messages.
As a viewer you are the most important person. You don't need anything but your eyes, ears, and your mind to experience art. Our job as artists is to present experiences to viewers. No viewers? No point in doing art, right? So that's the main reason that the artists of Gardiner are doing this: above all, they want to share. To share their work, their motivations and their time with you. They want to meet you and find out from you what you see, what you like and what moves you. This is a two way street. This is not the kind of gallery experience where the salesperson comes over, looks you up and down and tries to determine whether you are worth talking to; this is the sharing of experiences, yours and the artist's.
When you go to an art gallery, you might be intimidated by the formality of the surroundings, and we all have our own insecurities about what we know and what we think other people know.
That's where the Gardiner Open Studio Tour is a different and wonderful opportunity to talk to the artists behind the work, and engage with them. They are in love with what they do and they could talk about it for hours, days, weeks--this is what sets them on fire. There are no wrong questions, no ill informed inquiries. Ask away! The answers you get will almost certainly give you insights into the work of the artist that you won't get without conversing with them in their own studio, in their home town on a beautiful Fall day.
I look forward to seeing you on the Tour!
Pick up your printed GOST tour maps and directions to participating studios at DM Weil Gallery in New Paltz.
For more information: Gardiner Open Studio Tour Home Page -- www.GOSTartists.org
Gardiner Open Studio Tour, Columbus Day Weekend
October 12, 13, & 14. Sat & Sun 10 - 5, Mon 10 - 3
