Art aficionados will be able to immerse themselves in several media through the Newburgh Open Studio Tour taking place this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
The tour begins at Newburgh Art Supply, located at 5 Grand Street. Participants can pick up a map, which will lead them to 32 different locations and the 160 artists involved. A majority of the stops are within walking distance of the shop.
The first tour only included 11 artists and drew a few hundred visitors. Now in its ninth year, thousands flock to the City of Newburgh to meet with artists and to view and comment on their work.
When Michael Gabor and Gerardo Castro opened Newburgh Art Supply 11 years ago, they noticed not a lot of people ventured into the city unless they lived in Newburgh.
“Part of what we were doing with the store was trying to attract people to home here,” Gabor said. “What we do at the store is build the arts community.”
Out of that effort, the owners were approached about organizing a studio tour. Although it was put together in two weeks, the public responded to the effort.
“It was really eye opening to see,” Gabor said. “If something was organized and attractive, people from outside the community would come into Newburgh.”
The tour has grown in popularity, drawing artists from Brooklyn and New York City, and guests from the city and Connecticut. Gabor notes people who have lived on the outskirts of Newburgh for decades finally ventured into the city.
The tour allows participants to visit the spaces in which the artists work. Unlike a gallery show where the artist is only available for the opening, the idea here is to have the artists with their work so people can see it and discuss it with them.
“The advantage of a studio tour is you can speak to the artist and get a better idea of what they’re doing,” said Gabor.
Although the purpose of the tour isn’t to sell their work, some artists do complete some transactions.
Among the media represented are painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, performance art, pottery/ceramics, mixed media work, and conceptual art.
Not only does the tour benefit the art community, but the surrounding businesses see an uptick. Gabor notes restaurants have run out of food or have experienced long lines making it difficult to find a place to eat.
New this year will be a weekend ferry service between Newburgh and Beacon. Although the MTA operates a ferry, it’s only available Monday through Friday in the morning and evening.
To learn more about the tour and the artists involved, visit newburghopenstudios.org.
