The best weekend to shop for art in Prescott is Oct. 5-7 during the 11th annual Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour. Whether you only have an hour and you’re limited to downtown Prescott, or you have the whole weekend to leisurely drive from one studio to the next, this tour has you covered. It kicks off on Oct. 3 with the Gala Pre-Tour Reception, new to this year’s event. Head to the third floor of the Prescott Elks Theater in downtown from 5 to 7 p.m. for a sneak peek of the artists featured on this year’s tour. Each of the 80 participating artists will have a piece on display so you can plan your weekend accordingly and visit the studios that resonate with you most. The gala includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer tasting, and live music. It’s free and open to the public.
The studios open at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5. This year’s event features 80 juried artists showcasing work in 51 private studios. If you’d rather one-stop shop, head to one of three “art centers,” says Deanne Brewster, a Prescott potter and chair of the tour’s executive committee. The centers, organizations that encourage arts practice and provide facilities for art education, will host 30 additional artists. These locations include Mountain Artists Guild Gallery, Prescott Center for the Arts and ‘Tis Annex Art Education Building.
The private studios are located around Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt (maps can be downloaded online). What will you find at each location? That depends, says Deanne. “Our focus is education,” she says. “We want to help the public understand what it takes to do what we do. They might be surprised to find our studios packed, dirty and not looking very organized. When people see that, they begin to understand what we go through and develop an increased appreciation for handcrafted art.”
Visit the studios prepared to ask questions: The artists enjoy discussing their inspiration and process. The tour also includes an art raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to fund next year’s tour as well as children’s art programs in the Quad-Cities area.
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