2019 North Coast Open Studios Registration Open to Humboldt County Artists

This is a press release from North Coast Open Studios:

North Coast Open Studios participating artist Elaine Benjamin in her Blue Lake home studio during last year’s event. Photo by Monica Topping.

North Coast Open Studios is accepting artist and artisan manufacturer registrations for 2019. The 21st annual event, which runs the weekends of June 1-2 and June 8-9, with a kick-off art night on Friday, May 31, includes artists and artisans from all over Humboldt County.

NCOS is an opportunity for artists to make personal connections with the public—fans get to see how the creative process works and talk to artists about inspiration and methods in the creators’ natural habitats. NCOS is also a great opportunity for artists to showcase new projects.

In 2018, more than 100 local artists opened their studios to the public, between Fortuna and Trinidad, and east to Blue Lake.

“This is my sixth year coordinating North Coast Open Studios, and the event remains one of my favorite Humboldt County art events,” says Monica Topping. “I’m honored to work with dozens of returning artists, each year, but also very excited to welcome new artists to the event.”

Last year’s event highlighted NCOS’s earliest participants, back in 1999, amongst whom is Elaine Benjamin, who came back to the event after a brief break, and opened her Blue Lake home studio to the public. She gave wood burning demonstrations, and let visitors try it themselves – the very essence of North Coast Open Studios’ focus on the creative process.

“I had a ball (in 2018),” says Benjamin. “It was fabulous to get out stuff that had been hiding in boxes and put it on the walls. Even before people came to see it, it was inspirational for me, an affirmation that I’ve done–and will do more–good stuff.”

As with past years, youth and adult artists without an available work space may contact Topping, who can help match them up with a shared “artist hot spot” for the weekends. Youth and up-and-coming artists for whom the registration fee is a challenge, may also contact Topping about a subsidized guidebook listing.

The deadline to register for NCOS is Weds., March 20, for the June event.

Online registration is available at www.northcoastopenstudios.com. For more information about North Coast Open Studios, or to receive a printed packet, email [email protected] or call the Ink People at (707) 442-8413. North Coast Open Studios is a DreamMaker Program of the Ink People Center for the Arts.