Fine Art Photography by Bill Theis
Part 1 of “The path to Open Studios:  the how-to guide”
Re-labelling sleeved images

Part 1 of “The path to Open Studios: the how-to guide”

I thought while this is fresh in my mind I would write down the things I am doing in preparation for Open Studios with both Art Trails and Art at the Source. Never mind for the moment why I wanted to do this, which I will address in a future separate blog article. The point is: you yourself may have aspirations of doing an event like this so I think you should go into it with your eyes wide open. IT IS WORK! and in these posts I will not be covering all the tiny details that are obvious. Since there are way to many, I decided to divide them up into briefer individual posts that chronicle my steps for preparation. So here we go:

Part 1. First a bit of my history:  I had been doing open studios at  “Art at the Source” beginning in 2013 and now again in 2024 but because of their rules I had to relocate into west Sonoma county and show at another artist’s studio outside under a tent! [check out how hard or easy this is by clicking this link:  SETUP_LINK .  with Michelle Hoting]

NEWS FLASH:  Art at the Source has extended it’s boundaries to include Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Cotati and Rohnert Park.  So I can now have my open studio in my studio (which is also my home)!  You can see how I did this at this LINK which will take you to a 360 tour. Hold your mouse button and drag to spin around, click the arrows to move to the next room. This may give you ideas for how to setup your own gallery space. The studio itself is in the back.

I have also participated in Art Trails from 2018-2020.  My first year at Art Trails was the first time I open my actual studio to the public. So it’s off the design the display area within my home to provide as much space as possible but not totally impact life as I know it. So I’ve included designs I have planned and how I intend to light the artwork and photographs to show progress made.  If your artwork is 3D, you can certainly get by with curtains instead of panels and then then add pedestals.

repairing damaged frames

Image 2 of 6

Frames with defects get sanded, wood filler, then painted to be returned to service. Guess I could just buy new ones? But I am too frugal ;)

I will be writing further Blog entries detailing the many, many tiny steps that must not be forgotten.  I write this as much for you the reader as for me.  I’ll finish with a checklist.

Below are LINKS to the next sections of this introduction to Open Studios:

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Please share as you mentioned. The visuals and honesty are such a boost for everyone.

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