Durango Open Studios gives tourists a chance to see where artists ply their craft, including a stop in Ignacio at the home studio of Lorraine Trenholm.
Durango Open Studios gives tourists a chance to see where artists ply their craft, including a stop in Ignacio at the home studio of Lorraine Trenholm.Courtesy of Shared Vision Publishing

The colors of fall should provide a beautiful backdrop to see where 22 of the best artists in La Plata County create their collective magic.

Artists from Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio will open their studios to the prying eyes of the masses for Saturday and Sunday’s fifth annual Durango Open Studios tour.

It’s a free event, but many are moved to purchase works when they see firsthand how they came to be.

“This year, we limited the number of artists to allow for folks to complete the tour in one weekend,” said Denise Leslie, producer of Durango Open Studios. “We live in a beautiful part of the country, and it is no wonder we have so many visual artists in our region. The studio tour is an opportunity for the public to meet the artists one-on-one, view their work and learn more about how they go about creating.”

Many tools of the trades will be demonstrated, including paintbrushes, canvases, cameras, pottery wheels, kilns, fabrics and more.

Plein air painter Jane Mercer is one of several artists who has participated in every Durango Open Studios.

“The Durango Open Studios Tour provides us, as artists, an opportunity to connect with the general public one-on-one. I’ve found that people really want to understand our process and how we create art,” Mercer said. “Plus it’s a great opportunity for us to market our work.”

The more manageable tour route is a nice contrast to past years when the number of artists neared 40 – far too many to visit in one weekend. Leslie said those included are some of the most popular stops and enthusiastic artists from previous tours. A guide and map will make things easier for those attempting to hit all 22.

The Durango Arts Center will host a preview/taster party tonight. Most of the artists will be there with samples of their work.

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Durango Open Studios tour artists

Participating artists in Durango Open Studios tour are Ruthanne Anderson, Bethany Bachmann, Marge Barge, Milt Beens, Nick Blaisdell, Kasey Correia, Sandra Cushman, Paul Folwell, Jan Goldman, Louden Kiracofe, Barbara Tobin Klema, Pat Knight, Renie Knudson, Cindy Lathrop, Meg McDonald, Sharon Mantor, Jane Mercer, Doug Pfilger, Diana Ruthers, Joaquin Salazar, Cynthia Schroeder and Lorraine Trenholm.
A map of artists’ studios and homes is available at www. DurangoOpenStudios.com. Maps also can be picked up at the Durango Welcome Center, the Durango Arts Center and Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center in Ignacio.
The Durango Arts Center will host a kickoff for the tour with “Open Doors – A Taster Exhibition of Durango Open Studios” from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the Barbara Conrad Gallery. Many of the artists will be on hand, their work will be on display and tour maps will be available. For more information, call 403-1950.
Durango Open Studios is presented by Arts Perspective magazine, a quarterly publication reflecting the diversity of arts in the Four Corners.