History
The first Artists’ Studio Tour beegan in 2002 with 11 artists. It has grown yearly having accommodated more than 150 artists, skilled in numerous disciplines and a myriad of styles. Since its inception the Tour has had several goals:
First and foremost, to provide an opportunity for local artists to present their work directly to the public and to promote the purchase of locally created quality artwork. The Tour offers them a way to become a visible part of their community while bringing about an awareness of the contributions artists make for the betterment of the Town of Saugerties.
Second, to educate and introduce people to a wide variety of artwork and to inspire students to continue to express themselves and develop their skills.
Third, to build a strong artist community within the Town, and
Fourth, to work with the Town and Village of Saugerties as partners in economic development where the arts help drive the local economy and Saugerties becomes identified as an arts destination.
The Tour is a sub-committee within The Saugerties Hudson River Partnerships, Inc., a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit. It is made up of volunteer member artists, each lending a hand wherever they can to organize, promote and make the Tour into the successful event it has become. We are committed and love what we do. Each artist in his or her own right is dedicated to the pursuit of their art. The Tour features a wide range of artists with varied skills that include: painting in all its manifestations including oil, acrylic, watercolor and encaustics along with drawing, mixed media, photography, digital, sculpture, handmade furniture, printmaking, ceramic art and pottery, mosaic, collage, wearable upcycled art, and cartooning. Each artist has their own unique voice and life experience to share. Some of the artists’ are renowned with credits to their names from exhibits locally, nationally and worldwide. All of our artists are talented and many are yet to be discovered.
The Tour, is a free self-guided event that takes place throughout the entire Town of Saugerties at the private studios of the participating artists. Exhibits and special events take place in July and August and the open studios weekend is in mid-August.