Event takes place the weekend of Nov. 6 & 7
By Staff Reports (written by Suman Ganapathy)
Visiting an artist’s studio, you’ll discover the heart of the mystical and mysterious incubator of creativity. At the Morgan Hill Open Studios event held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekend of Nov. 6 and 7, South Valley residents will enjoy a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes and experience artistic talent in person.
The free, self-guided event will showcase 42 artists from Morgan Hill, South San Jose, San Martin and Gilroy at 21 locations. These include both artists’ studios and communal areas. You’ll find displays of original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photography, woodturning, jewelry, textiles, and much more.
Art lovers have the opportunity to talk to artists one-on-one about their inspiration, technique, and creative process, and watch them demonstrate their artistic process. They can even participate in drawing, painting, or throwing clay on a pottery wheel. Visit 12 locations and get signatures in a “passport” available at artist locations or online so that you’ll be eligible to win prizes. Could a weekend be more magical?
A labor of love encompassing thousands of hours of volunteering over two years, it all began December 2019, when Marie Cloughesy, Cindy Blanton, and Sophie Lastra — three local sculptor artists friends — made a presentation to the Morgan Hill Library Culture & Arts Commission. Their passion to bring open studios right here in Morgan Hill lit a flame under commissioners Paul Lake and Suman Ganapathy. They were determined to help make their dream a reality. The project was adopted in the annual workplan, and the team of five started planning the event.
Then COVID-19 hit in January 2020. Stymied by the global pandemic, the committee switched to Zoom meetings, resolving to continue keeping the flame alive. With the work of tech genius LCAC commissioner Emily Borchers in July 2020 who designed the incredible MHOS website, Ellie Honl, director of Colibri Gallery, artist Rob Guynn, and Sherrie Wren as treasurer, the team was finally complete.
When the Morgan Hill Community Foundation board, including Pamala Meador, generously voted for MHOS to be a part of the foundation’s El Toro & Arts Committee, the event became viable. Cloughesy rose naturally among us to become the chair.
“I’d love to see artists from Morgan Hill and South County start to be recognized in the surrounding arts community. There is so much talent here. I can’t wait for the public to come see us,” Cloughesy said.
This event has been charmed from the start with volunteers coming to help. Vanessa Vargas contacted the group via social media recently and offered to provide her videography skills — just what they needed. All they need now are the art lovers — and they know there are plenty of them in the South Valley.
With the open studios, visitors will get a rare insight of artists mapping their creative journey. See more than 100 pieces in a variety of styles at artist Rob Guynn’s home.
Professional artist Diane Wallace’s fine art studio charts more than 53 years of art and teaching. Artist Sheri Chakamian’s studio features her paintings of powerful women along with her other themes.
Come to the Gilroy studio of prominent artist Nacho Moya, who has made waves during this pandemic. Cindy Blanton’s studio and home is a communal location for sculpture and pottery where you’ll see the work of six other artists.
Seeing multiple artists and art in convenient, shared community locations is a feast for the senses. Artist Sanjay Batra plans to paint and work his magic in person at a communal location. Abstract painter Whitney Pintello and unique and haunting figurative artist Sandra de la Torre are housed in the same location, too. Close by, four incredible artists including award-winning artist Karen Beiber can be visited while wine-tasting.
Morgan Hill Open Studios is a wonderful opportunity to acquire original art in a range of prices from surprisingly affordable to admittedly wistful “wishfulness.” There’s something for everyone.
For more information and a list of all artists visit www.morganhillopenstudios.org.
