The 5th annual Art Studio Views (ASV) studio tour presents a tantalizing smorgasbord of art offerings and demonstrations this Labor Day weekend. For the art-loving public who make Art Studio Views an annual excursion, you will not be disappointed. Visitors can look forward to seeing what’s new at their favorite studio, be it photography, painting, printmaking, or ceramics.

Nearly half of the studios are new to the tour this year for visitors to enjoy sculpture, jewelry, glass, and woodcraft, which have been added to the art menu.

From our southern gateway of Hyde Park and Staatsburg to the northern gateway of Tivoli, Red Hook, and Rhinebeck this free open studio event has everything for browsers, art connoisseurs, or families taking a drive in the country. “Spending two glorious days getting an insider’s view of the various art processes and the spaces where these works of art are created is a memorable and unique experience,” says Joanna Hess, director of ASV 2012. “It takes the mystic and mystery away from the artists living and working in isolation,” she said.

Traveling on the self-directed tour through the towns and hamlets in the Northern Dutchess County area is easy using the downloadable map that can be found on the event’s Web site: www.artsnortherndutchess.org/asv. Also on the Web site is a list of the 30 participating artists with samples of the media and range of styles tour-goers will see. “I’ve had the opportunity to photograph each artist in their studio, and walked away with new knowledge and insight about that person’s philosophy on all subjects,” added ASV photographer Alice Seeger. “These particular artists have built a special relationship with one another in a supportive and encouraging way.”

The Rhinebeck Bank, a five-year sponsor of the event, along with Cross River Anesthesiologist Services, are this years’ platinum sponsors of Art Studio Views 2012. Both community-based sponsors anchor the event with their commitment to the arts and enrichment for all people who live, work, and vacation in our area. “With their continued support,” continued Hess, “these sponsors, along with Ameriprise Financial Advisors and additional individually-owned businesses, have helped increase the visibility of these talented individuals who bring an artistic pulse and commerce to our area. We encourage visitors to support our sponsors, as they have supported us.”

Art Studio Views, founded in 2008 by several dedicated artists, is part of a region wide, multi-seasonal celebration of the arts and the creative process. One of its achieved goals is to foster an appreciation for the role that artists play in maintaining the vitality of our Hudson Valley communities.

This year the tour is conveniently organized by town to make it easier for visitors to see more studios in each area. “So, grab your GPS and take a ride!” concludes Hess. “Keep on the look-out for the bright yellow signs, which will guide you to the studios of your choice.”

What “Wood” you do with a BOX?

box by Elizabeth St. Leger

That was the question posed to the artists on this years’ studio tour. As an additional fun element to the Art Studio Views 2012 tour, each artist was given a beautifully hand-crafted wooden box made by Donald Ostoyich of Catskill, NY. These 9”, 5-sided boxes were decorated, sculpted, and built-onto in fanciful ways to celebrate our 5th annual studio tour. It is our way to “give back” and thank our regional community.

The boxes will be displayed in village storefronts in Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and Hyde Park during the month of August. Each box will be labeled with information linking the visitor to our online auction website. The online auction will continue through September 2nd.  Funds raised from this auction will be donated to Vassar Brothers Hospital Pediatric Unit in Poughkeepsie.

By the way-did you know that the material to celebrate the 5th year of commitment is wood?

For further information and a complete list of participating artists, visit www.artsnortherndutchess.org/asv, or contact: Joanna Hess, ASV Director, by email at artstudioviews11@gmail.com. Informational brochures will also be available at the three ASV headquarters locations: Surviving Sisters in Hyde Park; Albert Shahinian Fine Art in Rhinebeck; and Red Hook Community Arts Network Artist’s Collective Gallery in Red Hook.