The Artists Are In
Annual Open Studio Tour To Benefit A.R.K.
Special to the GPHN
This year, more than a dozen artists will participate in 10 open studios, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All studios are accessible by bike and admission is free to browsers.
Ten percent of sales will be donated by the participating artists to benefit the valuable A.R.K. (Art Reaching Kids) program at the Art Garage, in Park Hill at 23rd and Kearney Street.
The mission of the A.R.K. program is to support creative expression within individuals and communities by providing art programming that heals, inspires and empowers. The program brings art to underserved populations in the Denver Metro area, including residential treatment facilities, schools and other organizations and focuses on helping individuals with self-expression and building confidence in a supportive environment.
The Art Garage has partnered with schools catering to youth with autism spectrum disorders, pregnant and postpartum women in recovery, adults with developmental disabilities, adult survivors of sexual abuse, and adolescents from addiction treatment centers.
Participating artists in the open studio tour include Frances Mackey, 1430 Birch St., who creates functional stoneware as well as decorative houses. New this year is Jean Smith at 4857 E. 17th Ave., presenting unique clay sculpture. Joyce Nielson is also new to the tour this year, and will be showcasing enriching abstract designs using a variety of media at 2075 Ash St.
Artist Andrea Gordon will display her creations at 2630 Ash St., and, in the alley of 2044 Elm St., Karrie McBryde will conduct blown glass demonstrations while hosting Suzie White and her fused glass creations, as well as Njeri Summy’s specialty jewelry and clothing. Up the block, at 4933 E. 22nd Ave, potter Barbara Hoffman’s work will be on display, along with fellow potter Peg Malloy and Glenne Stole’s painted fiber art.
A few blocks away, at 2239 Ivanhoe, artist Cliff Erickson will display colorful abstract oil paintings and non-objective ceramic sculptures alongside Patti Erickson’s acrylic paintings. Around the corner and up the block at 2363 Ivy, Michelle McManus will present glass jewelry. A short ride north to 3384 Jasmine is the studio of illustrator/ film-director Ben Clarke and his mother, plein air watercolor artist, Pat Clarke.
The Art Gym, a shared space for artists to exhibit and work just south of Park Hill at 1460 Leyden, is also participating.
Art will be for sale at a variety of price points throughout the tour. Maps will be available at the Art Garage, 6100 E. 23rd Avenue, as well as on their website, artgaragedenver.com.
Sponsors of this year’s Park Hill Open Studio Tour fundraising event include Emily Roet of Roet Realty and the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.