DOUGLAS COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS 2008: URGENT CALL FOR ARTISTS

DOUGLAS COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS 2008: URGENT CALL FOR ARTISTS - REGISTRATION DEADLINE JANUARY 15, 2008.

Fine artists and artisans are invited to participate in the inaugural Douglas County Open Studios, a new annual self-guided tour of artists’ studios located throughout the county - but outside Lawrence - and scheduled for late April 2008. The event has been designed to complement the annual Lawrence ArtWalk held in Lawrence at the end of every October, which features Lawrence artists’ studios.

As with the annual Lawrence ArtWalk this is a great opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their work to the public in their own studios, and to allow the public to meet artists in their creative work environments and discover fabulous works of art.

The official dates for Douglas County Open Studios 2008 are the last two weekends in April, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20, and Saturday 26 and Sunday 27. Studios west of Hwy 59 are required to be open during the first weekend while studios east of Hwy 59 are required to be open during the second weekend. However, studios may additionally be open to the public between April 18-27 on an optional basis.

Artists are also required to display a representative piece of artwork in the Douglas County Open Studios 2008 Preview Exhibit, which is to be hosted by Watkins Community Museum of History, Lawrence and held between April 12-27 with an Opening Reception on April 11.

Artists must have a Douglas County address for a residence, studio or place of employment, and display only their own original artwork. There are three categories of participation for artists: Artist, whether participating solo or with others; Studio with Commercial Gallery Space, which includes production studios; and Collective, which includes artists’ groups. Lawrence artists may participate but only at artists’ locations outside the city limits of Lawrence.

The registration deadline is January 15, 2008 with no extensions or exceptions. Artists’ benefits include eligibility for the Featured Artist Award, a page on the Douglas County Open Studios 2008 website, which will feature each artist’s artwork, and promotional postcards and guide maps. Artists who live or work exclusively in Lawrence are ineligible for the award since such artists have a similar award opportunity with the annual Lawrence ArtWalk. The Featured Artist Award will be elected in voting by Open Studios registrants.

Online registration and payment is required, and artwork images must be supplied electronically. Complete registration details are available by e-mail upon request from Douglas County Open Studios.

For more information:
w: www.DouglasCountyOpenStudios.org
e: dcos@thecenterforart.com (John Wysocki, Director)
t: 785.865.4254