Artist Open Studio is a time for everyone to get a personal welcome into the studios and lives of the 12 artists featured on our tour. This FREE family event is an opportunity to learn about artists whose work you may have seen in galleries, shows, shops, on-line, and in studio tours from previous years. You’ll have time to visit each of the artists in their old barns, new barns, and custom-built studio spaces. You’ll learn about the techniques of wheel-thrown pottery, glassblowing, stone carving, sculpture, watercolor, oil painting, charcoals and fine woodturning. You will see work in progress, and many studios will be offering demonstrations where you can try your hand at the medium. "AOS is a chance for me to show the soul of my art, which is everything to me" says Karin Sprague, a nationally-known stone carver featured on the tour, "this event is not about selling pieces of work; it is the chance to educate interested people about something they may not have seen before. It is a chance for people to literally experience art in the making in each of the studios they visit"
Each artist’s studio is strikingly unique, as is their work, and they enjoy sharing this deeply personal part of their creative process with the public. Artists are available so visitors may ask questions such as, “How do you cultivate your ideas?” or “What technique are you using?” or “Where can I learn this?” All their experience is there for the taking! Many AOS visitors are loyal to the event and return year after year to see what new studios have been added to the tour, and to revisit their favorites. 
Each year this wildly successful event draws more than 1,000 people to Rhode Island’s untamed Northwest corner. Come see why! Artwork will be available for purchase in each studio, but selling is not the purpose of the event. We want you to experience ART!