Julia Bristow, jewelry, #70
Submitted by Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
MOUNTAIN AREA – The Sierra Art Trails open studio tour takes place this weekend: Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 throughout more than a dozen Yosemite area communities of Eastern Madera and Mariposa Counties. This is the largest exhibit of its kind and features a variety of media including painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber art, woodcarving, ceramics, glass and more.
Sierra Art Trails was started in 2002 to take advantage of a large and active arts community. Sierra Art Trails is based in Oakhurst, about 20 minutes south of Yosemite National Park. The region has a reputation for housing more artists per capita than anywhere else in the United States. The annual tour attracts thousands of art lovers each year, some traveling from hundreds of miles away.
Ginny Burdick, pastel and watercolor, #16
“We wanted to draw people to our region from areas outside of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. We realized that we had a cultural resource and the ability to make our region a destination,” says Jon Bock, organizer of the annual art show and the year-long series of events leading up to it.
The cost to attend the self-guided tour is $18 for two adults: your Catalog is your ticket to SAT. The 2015 Sierra Art Trails Catalog contains a profile of each artist, maps and other information about the area. Settings range from formal art galleries to home studios to private residences. Some locations host a single artist; others feature several in one spot.
Csilla Enyedy Schulcz, 3-D photography, #50
“We’re really excited,” says Bock, “this year Sierra Art Trails features 25 new artists, bringing new styles to the show.”
In addition to the 25 new artists, the show will feature eight student artists sponsored by Sierra Art Trails.
“The excitement is building and catalogs are selling each day. Many purchasing the catalog are returning guests bringing along with them friends or family to enjoy the tour,” said Bock.
Bock suggests obtaining the Sierra Art Trails catalog in advance to allow ample opportunity to plan which artists to visit and the best routes to take.
“We are very excited about this year’s tour,” says Kim Lawson, Director of PR & Media for the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. “It’s a unique studio tour that allows you to get face to face with the artists, and in some cases, explore the very place where they create. We are so happy that our area offers such a wonderful cultural experience. It is inspiring, to say the least. ”
Bob Boomer, sculptor, #81
The Preview Exhibit is currently on display through Sunday, Oct. 4 at Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst. The exhibit features representative works by all of the artists participating in the Sierra Art Trails studio tour. There is no charge to view the preview. Viewing the Preview Exhibit is a great way to plan your Art Trails weekend, discover the work that you most want to see, and plan your route to the artist’s studios.
Also on site at the Preview Exhibit is the silent auction that will be held during the Sierra Art Trails weekend. This is a great chance to support the arts by purchasing a beautiful piece of artwork. Money from the silent auction goes to supporting the Sierra Art Trails as well as sponsoring student artists. Stellar Gallery is located at Gallery Row, 40982 Highway 41, Suite 1, in Oakhurst. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.
Faith Rumm, painter, #101
