Comments Off on 2022 Tour runs this coming weekend!
In their 22nd year of offering visitors a glimpse into the lives and homes of artists, this is the ORIGNIAL artist studio tour on the Seacoast, showing the work of world class artists. They are opening their studios once again, being respectful of following Covid-19 best practices, to allow visitors to meet the artists, see artwork that is unparalleled, and perhaps even start a little holiday shopping.
“This tour has become one of the season’s traditions for artist and visitors alike and we expect to have a great turn-out at all our studios,” says Maureen Mills, potter and founding member of the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour (PHAT). Featuring world class artists, PHAT offers a wide variety of work available for sale just in time for the holiday season. Including glass, clay, printmaking, jewelry, encaustic, collage and blacksmithing, this tour is sure to provide something of interest to everyone.
Since 2001 Seacoast based artists have prepared their home studios to throw open their doors the weekend before Thanksgiving inviting the public to learn, unearth hidden treasures, and buy direct from the maker. “Steve and I have done a number of other events and shows this year, and its clear visitors and guests are interested in meeting and supporting local arts and artists! Opening our studio for the community to learn more about what the PHAT artists do in our studios helps us build connections with our community while inviting them to continue to support local artists,” says Mills.
Always happening the weekend before Thanksgiving, this year’s upcoming Tour features seven in-person studios, with 15 participating artists. This is a real opportunity to learn about some of the artists and their work who may be your neighbors. Studios that are opening to the public may ask visitors to observe social distancing, limit numbers inside, and require masks to be worn. Visitors can consult the PHAT website for links to individual artist studios and their guidelines. Artists featured on the tour include Steven Zoldak, Maureen Mills, Karen Orsillo, Nancy Kanner, Emma Ashby, Dyanna Smith, Lisa Grey, Peter Happny, Susan Bates, Annie Littlefield, Bill Clarke, Lucy Clarke, Kristina Logan, Reg Logan, and Sophia Logan-Barré.
“One of the reasons people enjoy the Tour so much, and come back year after year, is they’ll see familiar artists,” Lisa Grey, print and textile collage artist says. “I also think the variety of medium, style and price range has kept people interested.” This event is self-guided and individually paced. You can spend a day or the whole weekend taking in what each studio has to offer and talking individually with the artists.
The Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour is grateful to community sponsors Piscataqua Savings Bank located at 15 Pleasant St. and Alie’s Jewelers, located at 1 Market St., who hosts a window display in their Daniel St window starting in early November to give passers-by a sampling of the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour. The window displays are thoughtfully designed to showcase many of the participating artists.
Art is a special, thoughtful, quality gift for any holiday or celebration. Each piece by participating artists is one-of-a-kind and is heirloom quality – a gift that can be handed down from generation to generation. Making a connection with the artist brings the story behind each piece to life. Open studio visits afford time to discuss a gift with an artist who will help you make the right choice for its recipient. And while you can certainly start your holiday shopping on this tour, it is a low-key atmosphere that welcomes browsing, watching a demonstration, or just visiting too.
Stay tuned to the website for information and updates on the artists and their studios or to download the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour map, and follow us on Facebook!
Comments Off on 2022 Brochure is here!
We are all looking forward to meeting in person this November for the 22nd annual Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour. You can find the new brochure posted here. The Tour always takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving, which falls on the weekend of November 19-20 this year. 
Explore our website to find out which artists are participating, what demonstrations are taking place in the studios, and a map for finding your way through the driving route to all seven studios. See you in November!