During one very special weekend each year over 75 artists open their studio doors to the public, providing a glimpse into the year-round activity that gives Benicia its widely recognized reputation as a key arts destination. Artists will be in their working studios to welcome visitors, speak about their process, and offer original works for sale, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, glass, woodturning, jewelry, furniture, textiles, and photography. Benicia Artists’ Open Studios, in its sixteenth consecutive year, is free to the public and will feature over 75 studios and art venues open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors may walk door-to-door to visit the live-work studios housed in the historic buildings of the Arsenal District. In addition, there are several studios located throughout the town and residential districts.
The Arts Benicia Gallery at 991 Tyler St., #114, offers free maps and a group exhibit including work of each participating artist, so visitors may plan an itinerary based on art they would most like to see.
Arts Benicia’s Printmaking Studio/Classroom will also be welcoming visitors, with students demonstrating various printmaking techniques and showing examples of their work. Guests may also visit the Plein Air painters outdoor “studios” behind Arts Benicia on Jackson Street, quench their thirst at our concession stands, and witness glass blowing at Benicia’s highly regarded glass studios downtown, including:
Lindsay Art Glass
www.lindsayartglass.com
109 East F Street
Nourot Glass Studio
www.nourot.com
675 East H Street
Smyers Glass
www.smyersglass.com
675 East H Street
Downtown Benicia (First Street) offers studios and art venues as well as waterfront eateries, shops and historic sites. Don’t miss the public art piece Dona Benicia’s Mantilla envelops the General’s Chair by nationally known sculptor Linda Fleming, at the south end of First Street; or the Arneson Bench by the late, great artist and Benicia native Robert Arneson, in the Benicia Marina. While in town, visitors can also tour historic buildings, such as the restored Historic Southern-Pacific Railway Depot, or the old State Capitol Building (circa 1860).
The small waterfront town of Benicia, tucked between rolling foothills and the Carquinez Strait, is known for its thriving artists’ community. The quality and variety of artwork at Open Studios, accentuated by the riverfront appeal of Benicia, has made this event a popular weekend outing for visitors throughout the Bay Area. The addition of artists working on site throughout downtown contributes in making this one of Benicia’s most stimulating, vibrant and fascinating events of the year.
Directions to Arts Benicia Gallery: Take Hwy 680 or 80 to 780. Take the Benicia E. Fifth St. exit South, toward the water. Turn Left on East Military St., turn Slight Right onto Grant Street, Slight Left onto Polk Street, Left on Tyler.
For more information, press photos & interviews, call Arts Benicia at (707) 747-0131, email
info@artsbenicia.org, or visit
www.artsbenicia.org.
What: Benicia Artists’ Open Studios 2009
When: May 2 & 3, 2009, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Over 75 Artists participating city-wide
Preview exhibition on view
April 24-May 3, 2009
(in Arts Benicia gallery only)
Thursday-Sunday
12 to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
Where: Arts Benicia
991 Tyler St., #114
Benicia, CA 94510
Studios are located throughout the City of Benicia
Maps available for free at Arts Benicia.
Cost: Free admission & parking
Contact: Alesha Colberg Martinez, Program Coordinator
707-747-0131,
programs@artsbenicia.org
www.artsbenicia.org
