ARTSI’s Open Studios Event Returns to Shelter Island

For more than a decade, ARTSI (Artists of Shelter Island) a dedicated group of artists who live and work on Shelter Island, have opened their studios to welcome visitors of all ages. This year’s Open Studios event, the 13th, is Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the studios is free.

“What’s unique about Open Studios is it’s an invitation to a solo show curated entirely by the artist — offering an insider’s peek into lifestyle, influences, process, and stories,” explained Roz Dimon, a longtime member of ARTSI whose work has been exhibited in many galleries and exhibitions. “Plus, you might get a glass of wine, alongside a discount.”

Dimon is currently working in a unique format that she calls a Dimonscape, a digital painting whose multiple visual and audio layers are open source coded to be explorable by all with an iPhone or smart device.

Lily Neisloss, who has attended the ARTSI Open Studios event several times, explains that meeting artists in their own milieu who can explain their work is a rare and entirely different experience from visiting a gallery or museum.

“Viewers learn the arcs of these creations from the artists’ original ideas to the final work of art, while on the other hand, the artists can see and hear how their works are being perceived,” she said.

The Open Studios event is a special experience for children and teens to see artists at work. It is often the youngest attendees who find unique perspectives and experience joy looking at the art and meeting the artists. It offers the perfect reason to hop on the ferry and enjoy a day of art, as well as Shelter Island’s beaches, bucolic scenery and dining. It is a summer highlight that draws visitors from all over Long Island and New York. Each year, attendance has grown as word of mouth continues to spread.

ARTSI is a Shelter Island based community of approximately 23 professional artists of various disciplines and styles who work together on various cultural events and exhibitions. Admission to the group is curated by existing members. Some of the artists have been shown widely in galleries and exhibitions across the country, others are largely known locally. All share a passion for art.

There is no charge for admission to Open Studios, no ticketing, just a “walk-in” welcome at the studios of 21 Shelter Island resident members of ARTSI — from painters to photographers, printmakers, digital artists, and sculptors. Artwork is available for sale.

The artists who are participating this year are: Connie Abate, Sally Jacobs Baker, Linda Brianza, Bill Clark, Janet Culbertson, Kathryn A. Cunningham, Dee DeBenardis, Roz Dimon, Laurie Dolphin, Leah Friedman, Melora Griffis, Megan Hergrueter, Lily Hoffman, Karen Kiaer, Diana Malcolmson, Mary Ann Moy, Carl Norr, Jackie Pullman, Linda Puls, Jana Sheinker and Peter Waldner.

For map of studios and further information, visit artsi.info.