Original Art by Carloyn Leigh

This year 222 artists have joined together to celebrate the vibrancy of Pima County’s creative community and welcome you to share in the joy of this local treasure. The Open Studio Tour welcomes collectors, residents and tourists to visit artists working in virtually every medium in their creative spaces – from downtown barrios to foothills studios and open-air desert sanctuaries.

Susan Gamble creating ceramic mural

The Open Studio Tour artists are a diverse blend of culture and ages, prominent and emerging artists and young students of art working in a wide range of media –bookmakers, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, fiber artists, metal smiths, glass blowers and painters to name a few. The event is family-friendly, casual, full of fresh air, tasty treats, original work, and always the chance of seeing old friends also out and about and new techniques in art making.

Sponsored by TPAC, this free self-guided tour provides an opportunity to dialogue with artists about their philosophies, inspirations, and the nuts and bolts of making art.  Now you have the chance to find answers to questions that come to us when we see art hanging in museums or commercial galleries such as “What does it mean” or “How did she do that?”

This celebration began with a preview exhibition, a visual feast hosted by the Jewish Community Center at 3800 E. River Rd., on view from Oct. 28th through Nov. 11th. The exhibition concludes with a ‘meet-the-artist reception’ from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 11th.

The tour of studios takes place this weekend November, 13 & 14. Studios are open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This year the Tucson Mountain Artisans, a new group of diverse artists, will be part of this season’s tour. They offer a unique setting in the West Central Tucson Mountains. Visitors can explore their picturesque studios and experience first-hand the desert beauty that inspires their creativity in multiple dimensions and mediums. Light refreshments will be served at each studio. Watch for javelina, coyote or mule deer crossing your path on this scenic drive between studios.

Ursela Gurau & sister at their Star Bear Studio

Roses In Her Hair by Melissa Miller

*****ADDED Celebration this year! ***

WAMO (Warehouse Artist’s Management Organization) is celebrating its recent acquisition of three historic warehouses : Steinfeld, Toole Shed & Citizens.  Those attending will have the opportunity to  meet the artists, planners, developers, and elected officials working to preserve the historic warehouse arts district. Learn about the past, present and future of the downtown warehouses. View art on display by its members that have been working tirelessly and without compensation for over 6 years to create an affordable arts district.

WHEN:  Saturday November 13 from 5-7 p.m.

LOCATION: The Market Inn at 403 N. 6^th Ave. (6^th Ave and 7^th St.)

A detailed program of participating artists and maps to their studios is posted for the public on the TPAC website at www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org. Also available on the site is information on demonstrations and more.  Look for a free printed program in the November issue of Zocalo magazine on news stands everywhere.  Contact Sally Krommes at skrommes@tucsonpimaartscouncil.org. or at  520-624-0595 #16.

These  special organizations have helped support the Artist’s Tour this year:

Sarnoff’s Art Materials

WAMO (Warehouse Artists Management Organization)

Benjamin Plumbing Supplies

Tucson Lifestyle Magazine

COX Communications

Tucson Jewish Community Center

The Loft Cinema

Zocalo Magazine

City of Tucson

Arizona Commission on the Arts

Visit the downtown historic arts warehouse district and you will see revitalization in action. On July 1, The Warehouse Arts Management Organization (WAMO) started major progress in downtown Tucson when they took over management of the Citizens Art Studios.  Over forty artists and arts supporters showed up early July 1 to clean-up and beautify one of the properties they are now managing.  The other WAMO properties are also scheduled for major changes in the near future.

Slide 1 of 10.
Titus Castanza Citizen Studios Artist
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 2 of 10.
L-R Tom Harrington & Joe Hatton Citizen Studios Artists
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 3 of 10.
Judy Dare WAMO Board member
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 4 of 10.
L-R Susan Gamble & Natasha Winnik WAMO Board Members
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 5 of 10.
Marvin Shaver WAMO Board President
Source: Photo by Elizabeth BurdenSlide 6 of 10.
Clean-up Day at Citizen's Art Studios
Source: Photo by Charles SpilarSlide 7 of 10.
Kylie Walzak & John Salgado BICAS At Citizens
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 8 of 10.
Kylie Walzak BICAS at Citizen's
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 9 of 10.
Diana Rhoades City Council Staffer for Regina Romero
Source: Photo by Charles SpillarSlide 10 of 10.
John Salgado BICAS At Citizens
Source: Photo by Charles Spillar

WAMO was formed in 2004 as an outcome of the Tucson Historic Warehouse Arts District master planning process. They have been working tirelessly for six years; thousands of man-hours without compensation, to accomplish their goal of a vibrant downtown arts district where the artists can still afford to maintain a studio. Below is the Mission Statement from the WAMO website and explains why they are so important for the revitalization of downtown Tucson. The organization has created a 3-D model of the historic arts district available for viewing at 403 North 6^th Ave. here in Tucson later in the week. (Former Eric Firestone Gallery)

MISSION STATEMENT:

WAMO’s mission is to cultivate and manage Tucson’s Historic Warehouse Arts District into a center for incubation, production, exhibition, education, and management of the arts, to make a significant contribution to the local and regional economy for the benefit of the public at large.

WAMO continues and develops the work of artists and related individuals who have helped to create Tucson’s Historic Warehouse Arts District as an active and varied center and community for the arts, within a downtown community that includes working artists, galleries, museums, nonprofit arts organizations, and supportive retail and residential interests.

Primarily through the active management of properties and other resources, including ownership and development of properties, WAMO guides the District so that it continues to foster the arts and the community into a vibrant future.

WHY SHOULD WE SUPPORT ARTISTS EFFORTS? WHAT DOES AN ARTIST REALLY DO?

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THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON UNANIMOUSLY OKAYED the first step in a series of land-swaps and leases to breathe life into plans to convert downtown warehouses into affordable living and working space for artists and in the process make the district a destination for citizens and tourists alike seeking entertainment, dining and fun.

“It’s a good move,” said Warehouse Arts Management District (WAMO) President Marvin Shaver. “This is saving some important buildings and moving toward realizing the vision of the 2004 arts district master plan.”

WAMO President Marvin Shaver

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