Open Studio Night: An Art Walk for the Artists

Featured image: Charles Morrison of the Morean Center for Clay chats with Margaret Murray from Creative Pinellas at Open Studio. Photo by Luci Westphal.

St. Petersburg has a thriving art scene, with crowds flocking to shows and galleries every second saturday for Art Walk. But when do the artists get to go? 

In March, artist Luci Westphal started her latest initiative – a special night before the art walks where various art groups open their studios to other creatives. 

“There is a huge benefit to have one evening a month where we can have a focused visit to a building with other artists’ studios,” says Luci. “Visiting artists get to explore where and how other artists are working, and what they might be trying out. The hosting artists get to share their space, ideas, and methods. These moments of mutual inspiration can lead to fresh new work and even collaborations.”

For Luci, the inspiration was personal. “Having an art studio on Art Walk is fantastic. I wouldn’t want to give that up,” she says, but “it wasn’t until I got my own studio at the ArtsXchange that I realized how crazy it is that the only people who don’t get to see other artists and their processes in their studios are other artists!”

So, Luci created Open Studio Friday, where each month the art community gathers at a different location for an “arts & culture workers’ industry night to connect, support, inquire, and get inspired.”

The first event took happened in February at Sixstar Studios, though it was not officially called an “Open Studio Friday.” Luci got artist and former Creative Pinellas President Jason Hackenwerth on board and used the momentum to announce the new overall initiative. Subsequent featured locations were MGA Sculpture and Soft Water Gallery, followed by the Morean Center for Clay and Art Lofts.  Five Deuces is scheduled for June 12, the Morean Arts Center for July 10, and the Factory on August 7.

“It is a great idea that will take time to grow,” says Jan Richardson, a ceramic artist at the Morean Center for Clay who did demonstrations during their Open Studio night. “I thought our event was well attended for an initial event. It was great to meet folks who came by, too.” 

Luci said interest is already growing. “With every event, we have more people signing up for the mailing list and other buildings being added to the schedule.” She adds, “I have talked with others about how much stronger we feel, more bonded to each other in our own building by organizing and hosting this event.”

Open Studio night is not just for show – there’s a valuable knowledge- and inspiration-sharing component, says Luci. “We have also expanded our knowledge of artists, art spaces, and creative methods. Some of us have felt inspired to try a new art method. A lot of us were especially excited about the tour Xan gave us of the Morean Center for Clay. I’ll never look at those kilns, or at ceramics, the same!”

Artist and curator for Bar@548 Jenipher Chandley agrees: “This program has been a wonderful experience so far. It creates a rare opportunity to slow down and really take in other artists’ work in a more personal and thoughtful way. The behind-the-scenes access and conversations have been incredibly valuable.”

Luci hopes that the event rotates through all the local art studio buildings and creative spaces. Then, once all locations have been featured, she wants to start the rotation all over again. 

“I think there is real potential for this to grow into something more, possibly even evolving into a collective over time,” says Jenipher, adding. “I definitely plan to continue visiting other studios. That exchange, showing up for one another is what makes this so impactful.”

Artists can visit OpenStudioFriday.com to sign up, host, or be added to the mailing list.