North Coast Open Studios takes place over two weekends in June when studios all over Humboldt County are open to visitors. I participate in Open Studios, opening my garage, moving out the car, vacuuming, dusting, setting out tables with all the things I’ve made during the year, and hoping for a sunny weekend. People trickle in and out all day Saturday and Sunday, having a look, asking questions, and chatting. I even sell a few things, usually at least enough to cover the registration fee. I enjoy it a lot.
The Brenda Tuxford Gallery in Eureka, CA, hosts an annual preview show for Open Studios during May. It’s always fun to contribute a piece, because on drop-off day people are friendly, showing which item they brought, comparing notes on which days they’ll be exhibiting, and generally chatting.
The show opened during Arts Alive, the gallery-hopping and dining event that takes place in Eureka on the first Friday of each month (May 3). Some of the visitors to the gallery were downtown for Arts Alive and others were participants in the preview show and Open Studios. The guidebook for Open Studios listing each venue, type of work on display, locations, and dates was available, too. Local businesses sponsored refreshments including my favorite treat from Beck’s Bread, black shortbread (super chocolaty).
During the first half of the reception, I handing out name tags, catalogues, and posters. Jonathan and I revisited the gallery a few days later to get a better look at the show. The contributed works are arranged thoughtfully around the gallery. I particularly like the way my pieces were displayed beneath other three dimensional works. My part of the show is a shadow box of flowers made from sea glass and recycled china. I haven’t abandoned jewelry-making, but I decided to put something different in the show. I am working on three new necklaces that will be finished before the Open Studios event.
This exhibit will be in place for the month of May. Open Studios takes place the weekends of June 7-8 and 14-15. I am participating on the first weekend so that I can visit studios around the region during the second weekend. There are painters, ceramicists, jewelers, metal workers, and all kinds of other media. I can’t wait to go through the catalogue and map out my visits.
The poster for the preview show is on a repurposed political sign in my front yard.
This is one of my favorite events of the year.
Llywindatravels 2025 