Passports to working art studios

Ever wondered how a piece of art goes from idea to object? The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s upcoming Tulsa Art Studio Tour will open the doors of 10 Tulsa artists’ studios, where visitors will experience the creative processes and meet the artists on April 20-21 from noon until 5 p.m.

Art fans will find the Tulsa Art Studio Tour a rare opportunity to see artists in their working space, talk with them about their creations, as well as view and buy artwork.

The featured artists are eager to answer questions from visitors about their ideas and process. The self-guided tour is presented by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), a statewide non-profit.

“OVAC presents the Tulsa Art Studio Tour to expose the public to the surprising and always inspiring ways artists work in our community,” said Julia Kirt, OVAC executive director.

The artists work in a variety of styles and studio spaces, creating painting, printmaking, jewelry, puppets and more. Tour featured artists include:

•  Janet Fadler Davie: Painting •  Val Esparza: Fashion, Screenprinting •  Grace Grothaus: Back-lit Painting •  Nicole McMahan: Installation, Design •  Mary Jane Porter: Mixed Media, Puppets •  Michael Sexton: Metal Sculpture •  Andrew Storie: Sculpture •  Steve Tomlin: Painting •  Kathy Wills: Polymer Clay Jewelry •  Richard Wills: Printmaking

A preview exhibition will be on display at the Circle Cinema gallery, 12 S. Lewis, through April 17.

Passports to the Tour include a map and are $5 in advance and $10 at the studios during the event. Attendance is free for students. Passports are available online at www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org, by phone at (405) 879-2400, or at ticket outlets, including The Gadget Company, Dwelling Spaces, Lovetts Gallery, and Nielsens Gifts.

Visitors who get their passport stamped at all 10 artist studios during the tour dates will be registered to win a prize.

The Tulsa Art Studio Tour is sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Kerry Walsh, Jean Ann & Tom Fausser, Sandra Langenkamp, Sharla & Christopher Owens, and Sandy & Bob Sober, among others.

For more information about the Tulsa Art Studio Tour, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.