Artists & Friends Gather to Celebrate

Last week SCA members and sponsors gathered at the idyllic Weatherlow Farms, in Westport, to celebrate and kick off the 21st Open Studio Tour season.

The annual summer party was set amongst the backdrop of a working farm, complete with rolling fields and historic stone walls, much of which inspires many SCA artists. “A lively crowd of artists, friends and sponsors celebrated together with intuitive conversation, art, food, and drink”, said event coordinator and SCA Vice President, Lindsey Epstein.

“What a fun and inspiring evening!” exclaimed artist Celeste Chute-Wright.

“As artists, we’re always trying to get exposure and find homes for our work”, said SCA President, Stephen Remick. “While social media is a valuable tool, activities like the kickoff party, monthly gatherings, and special events are even more important. We artists tend to work in isolation, and once in a while it’s good to get out of our caves and meet in person. It gives us the boost we need it, even if it’s just a quick hello or a deep conversation. Community matters.”

“It was an awesome time,” said artist member Susan Cabral. “The volunteers worked very hard to make it special. Thank you. It was wonderful!”

SCA started out as a community of eleven local artists with a common goal- to once a year, open their studios to the public to sell their art. That group of eleven has now grown to a non-profit organization approaching 200 members. And now in its 21st year, SCA offers a “Members’ Invitational, an art contest, two Open Studio Tours, a youth grant, a holiday show, partnerships with community organizations, and a partridge in a pear tree,” Remick said. “All these events are designed with the intention to educate the public in the arts. This is only possible with financial and in-kind help from our very much appreciated sponsors and donors, without whom we would not be able to do all that we do.”

By the end of the party, attendees were energized with a renewed goal, knowing their peers felt the same, ready to get their work out to the public to make a positive impact on our local communities. Mark your calendars for the Tours this summer: July 20-21 and August 17-18, 2024 and find out what inspires so many artists to gather in the magical Farm Coast region of southeastern Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

 More information about the 21st annual Open Studio Tours can be found at https://www.southcoastartists.org/open-studio-tours

This program is supported in part by grants from the Dartmouth Cultural Council and Westport Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westport Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America.

South Coast Artists, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, educates, represents, and supports artists living and working in the coastal towns of Tiverton and Little Compton, RI, and Westport and Dartmouth, MA. Each summer SCA sponsors studio tours and this year the 21st annual SCA Open Studio Tour takes place on the weekends of July 20-21 and August 17-18. SCA also provides free educational events and grants for emerging artists.

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