Over 100 artists will exhibit in 15 historic buildings including mills, a former church, and other vintage buildings throughout New Bedford. The artists will open their studios for the fourth year in this growing event. New Bedford Open Studios is a free event giving the public an opportunity to talk to the artists and view art in the working studios in which it is made.
 
In the past three years, the New Bedford Open Studios weekend has drawn people from Central Massachusetts, Boston, Providence and the Cape to discover our vibrant and growing arts community.
 
“Open Studios is a lot of fun and I look forward to this event every year. It's great to meet all the people and find out where they cam from. It's amazing how far some will drive. As an artist it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my artwork and what has changed or stayed the same over the year,” said Stephen Denton, artist and organizer of the event.

Matthew Morrissey, Economic Development Council executive director said, “Over one hundred artists participating in Open Studios this year is testimony to the rapidly growing group of New Bedford artisans representing a vast array of work. We are very fortunate to have available a way for the public to connect firsthand with such talent and creativity.”

“Sample: Artists of New Bedford Open Studios 2008” is a month-long exhibition at ArtWorks! presented in conjunction with the Open Studios event.  The exhibition shows a sampling of work made by local artists participating in the 4th annual New Bedford Open Studios weekend and features work of all media, representing the high quality of artists that are currently working in New Bedford.
 
The exhibit runs from September 27 to October 18. The Opening Reception is Friday, September 26, 6-9pm and is free to the public. ArtWorks! is located at 384 Acushnet Avenue, www.artworksforyou.org 
 
Represented in the Open Studios are: • Ceramics • Charcoal • Collage • Custom furniture and built-ins • Digital ink jet prints • Drawing • Glass • Graphic design • Hand made garments • Hand printed leather goods • Handwoven rugs and functional textiles • Ink • Jewelry • Knitting and felting • Letterpress printing •  Metals • Mixed media • Murals • Notecards • Oil pastel • Painting • Paper cuttings • Photography / digital media • Printmaking • Sculpture • Silkscreen • Stained glass • Textiles • Tiles • Wood • Woodcuts • . . . and more!

Speaking as a participating artist, Anne Wolfe offered her perspective. “The annual New Bedford Open Studios event is a great opportunity for artists to show and sell their work. People enjoy meeting the artists and buying directly from them. I am always pleased with the feedback from different perspectives, and with the insights gained by showing new work at Open Studios. More and more people come every year, from collectors to the curious.”

The 2008 Open Studio artists/galleries are located at 15 sites throughout the city, including:
North End: 88 Hatch Street Studios; Ropeworks, 123 Sawyer Street; 419 Sawyer Street; 849 County Street; Wamsutta Mill, 1 Wamsutta Street;
Downtown: ArtWorks! 384 Acushnet Avenue; John Harrison Building, 23 Centre Street; 25 Centre Street; Cummings Building, 96-100 William Street; Mosaic Gallery, 752 Purchase Street; 623 Purchase St.;
South End: Hathaway #5, 84 Gifford Street; 21 Cove Street; 11 Cove Street; 40 Ruth Street.
 
Maps are available at each site and at the National Park Visitor Center, 
33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. For information about the artists, locations or participation in the 2008 Open Studios go to http://newbedfordopenstudios.org
 
September 9, 2008