11th Annual Artists Studio Tour, June 9-10

 

More than 50 artists will be showing their work at 22 sites in the Canyon on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, 2012.

PHOTO BY ROBIN BECKER The annual Artists Studio Tour is the highlight of the year for the  Topanga Canyon Gallery, as well as art patrons who experience the self-guided tour. The Tour reception and silent auction on Saturday, June 9, at the Gallery features 8” x 8” works by each participating artist and will be sold to the highest bidder.

For more than a decade local and far-flung art lovers have raved about the annual Topanga Artist Studio Tour. If you haven't taken this self-guided tour through the Canyon yet, you will want to be sure to go on it this year to find out just how special it really is. You will discover nooks and crannies in our glorious Canyon that you never knew existed while taking a long peek into the sacred space of many award-winning artists.

The tour begins at Topanga Canyon Gallery where visitors can purchase tickets, view samples of work by all the artists, and plan their route with the map provided. This self-guided Studio Tour, accessible by car, winds throughout the area. Each participant sets the pace to see new work, is able to learn how each artist approaches his and her medium and experiences how our unique, natural beauty spawns creativity.

Host artists will greet visitors at each site that may share space with additional artists at some of the tour studios.

At several sites there will be demonstrations of techniques, materials and tools used. Collectors are able to buy directly from the artists and hear the story behind the piece or find a hidden treasure tucked away in a corner.

The Topanga Canyon Artist Tour is truly a special treat for art lovers, nature lovers, fresh air lovers, and anyone seeking a unique adventure.

Many locals take the tour every year and with new artists joining each year, there is always something new to see.

"I wouldn't miss it," a recent visitor to the Gallery stated. "It is one of our family's favorite outings. Over the two days we can visit a lot of studios and talk to artists."

There is a tour reception and silent auction on Saturday, June 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Topanga Canyon Gallery where small works (8"x 8") by each artist will be sold to the highest bidder. Bidding has already started, so be sure to stop in to see the show before the tour.

Ticket cost for both days: children under 16 are free, adult tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Studio Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Advance tickets are available at the Gallery, by phone at (310) 455-7909 and online at topangacanyongallery.com.

The Studio Tour exhibit at the gallery runs from May 30 to June 17. The exhibit includes paintings, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, photography, mixed media, custom jewelry and more from traditional to contemporary and from representational to abstract.

Topanga Canyon Gallery is an artist-owned and run collective that grew from the first Topanga Artists' Guild in the 1950s. Its current location in Pine Tree Circle opened in 2000. Topanga Canyon Gallery presents exhibitions by well-known and emerging artists from the Los Angeles area, many of whom make Topanga Canyon their home.

In addition to the annual Studio Tour, Topanga Canyon Gallery produces a juried show in January, a student art exhibit each winter and new shows featuring the member artists throughout the year.

Topanga Canyon Gallery is located in Pine Tree Circle, 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., #109, Topanga, CA 90290. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information: (310) 455-7909.