This year’s event begins with a public Preview Reception at the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort (1752 Hwy 179, Sedona), Friday, May 4th from 5 – 7:30 pm.  Each artist will showcase one piece of artwork at the reception and be available to answer questions.  Guests can enjoy light refreshments while perusing the art and planning their self guided tour for the next two days.  All events are free to the public.

"The Path" by Alba Elena Wejebe

The dynamic art community of the greater Sedona area is well represented with works ranging from the fiber art of Dee Durkee (#7 on the Tour Map) and Margaret Anderson (#11), to the mystical photography of Alba Elena Wejebe (#5).  Although, Alok  Hsu Kwang-han (#2) (calligraphic art) and Premdevi (#6) (painting) may both use ink in their art, but from that point on their creations diverge.

“Like most visual artists I prefer to work alone, so it is great to have a special weekend each year to open my private space and share a little about what I love to do.  Chatting with potential customers gives me feedback about what others find most enjoyable (or not) about the artwork, and often helps shape the direction of new work.” says Dee Durkee, Contemporary Fiber-Collage Artist.

Painters abound with a variety of media and styles with watercolors by Mary Dove (#22), Bill Fravel (whose studio has moved to Yonder Lane), and Julie Ronning Talbot (#12); transcendental acrylics by Pam Becker (#4), and Dus T. Stewart’s (#5) paintings of dreams and the wonder of nature.  

"Sun Salutation" by Margaret Anderson

Janis Mock-Jones(#21), whose acrylic paintings include vibrant depictions of the southwest as well as intuitive abstract works, is one of 8 artists located in the Village of Oak Creek.  “I work in several styles and sizes and what I love about Open Studios is that people can see all the work I do, not just what might be in one exhibition or gallery.” 

As an incentive for studio visitors to brave the construction on Hwy 179, she and Mary Dove will have a free drawing to win a piece of art donated by each of these artists.

Romance isn’t dead and Julie Ronning Talbot’s transparent watercolors prove it with a style she calls romantic realism. “This is my second year of participation in Open Studios, and it is a great way for the artist and public to meet.”

Bev Jenai (#8) waits for her oil paintings and pastels ‘to inhale’ before calling them finished. “Sedona's energy just pours into you if you're balanced enough to receive its powerful forces.  What becomes intrinsically special for me as an artist, is then translating that energy onto a canvas with colorful strokes of oil paint.”

Visitors will also see demonstrations, works in progress and enjoy refreshments at many of the studios.  Artists are often drawn to several types of art and media so don’t be surprised to see sculpture and jewelry next to Norma Holden’s (#17) paintings, mixed media artwork with clay, beads, metal at Kat Strickland’s (#10) studio, paintings and clay creations at the studio of Cecily Fazekas (#9), and a full spectrum of paintings by Rita Elkins (replacing Connie Bollard).   Listen to the ‘music of life’ when enjoying the art of Barbara Ragalyi (#16)or look for the ‘attitude’ in Shep Sheppard’s (#15) surprising paintings. Metal is the medium

Chair by Skip Fox

for the organic and provocative sculptures of Skip Fox (#1), while Firuse Stalcup (#20)  bends and twists clay to create her unique ceramics and Candace Copeland (#13) uses stones in her jewelry creations.  And don’t miss the photographs of talented new comers as the Sedona Red Rock High School Photography Club struts their stuff (#14).

The 2007 Open Studios is sponsored by the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition through a grant from the City of Sedona Arts and Cultural Commission, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and local merchants listed in the brochure.  Brochures with maps are available online at http://www.sedonaartistscoalition.org/artists/open_studio.phtml and at various locations in Sedona, including the Visitor Centers, hotels, motels and B&Bs, and the Sedona Art Center.  For more information call 282-0806.

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