OPEN STUDIO SATURDAY, MARCH 6
Darren Goins was the first artist I found, as I walked into his studio on the third floor, I found him eating coconut. And when I asked him what the public could expect when they walk into his studio on Saturday, he said “I’m going to be giving myself a haircut, putting together a DJ set and work on some digital drawings.”
The next artist I found was Diane Hughes, she has spent the last 10 months in residence on the 2nd floor. Walking into her studio is always a treat for the senses, Diane always has the most eclectic music playing, the most fragrant of smells and not to mention the serenity of her imagery. Today I was lucky enough to view a photograph stained with cherry juice that she completed this morning during a “sugar rush.” When I asked her what she would be working on this Saturday, she said “I’m going to be working on that stuff, sculptural pieces that deal with parts of trees. [She points to a pile of frames and natural objects.] I’m also going to do something I’ve never done before, something risky, I’ve been playing it too save, I’m just not sure what it will be.”
And my last studio visit was to Abdi Osman’s studio, also on the 2nd floor. A disco ball spins hanging from the ceiling as I walk into his studio, his floor is full of chalk drawings that resemble a map and Michael Jackson plays in the background. Before I told him why I was here, he sees my look of confusion and explains that the disco ball and drawings are for the “disco party.” When I asked him what he would be working on this Saturday he said “ I’ve got a model coming to the studio, so I’ll be working on a photo shoot.”
As you can tell, all of our artists are unique and have their own personalities, each studio has a different vibe. The juxtaposition of each studio to the next is a true journey that I hope you all have the opportunity to take.
If you cannot make it between 11AM to 4 PM this Saturday, don’t forget about the closing reception on March 19th from 6 - 11 PM.