18th annual JP Open Studios to show work of 230-plus artists at 65 sites

The following is a press release from organizers of Jamaica Plain Open Studios:

Jamaica Plain Open Studios, the premiere annual arts event in one of Boston’s most eclectic neighborhoods, is returning in 2011 for its 18th year. Open Studios is an opportunity to take a rare public peek at some private spaces. The free event showcases the artwork of over 230 artists at 65 sites including artists’ studios, the historic Eliot School, the Sam Adams brewery complex, the Arnold Arboretum, and more. It runs from 11 am – 6 pm over the weekend of September 24 - 25, 2011.

During Open Studios, visitors can enjoy locally created art, clothing, jewelry and home accessories, and can buy directly from the artists. Both emerging and established artists will be exhibiting and selling a variety of media including ceramics, furniture, glass, fiber arts, painting, printmaking, mixed-media, sculpture and photography.

Coordinator Mariana Negron-Quinones notes that “the event’s unique energy arises from the public’s interaction with artists in their individual studios” and she encourages visitors to go off the beaten path and explore new studios and new neighborhoods. She is also quick to note that there are several “group sites where multiple artists are showing together that offer a chance to see several styles or media in one place.” Tracking down specific artists, or planning a route through the event can be aided by a visit to the website www.jpopenstudios.com. As Negron-Quinones says: “The website lets you preview artists and their work to help you decide where you want to go.” Also available on the web site is an iPhone app for a Self-Guided Walking tour of the studios.

Negron-Quinones is excited about the return of the Cheverus group site at 365 Centre Street for the 3rd straight year. This year their hosts at the Hyde Square Task Force are hosting a Kick-Off breakfast fundraiser that will feature treats by numerous JP bakeries as well as performances by youth in their program. The site is literally in the center of Boston’s “Latin Quarter”, situated about halfway between Jackson Square and Hyde Square, and Negron-Quinones is “thrilled that the Hyde Square Task Force and Hyde/Jackson Main Streets have engaged the Latino community in JP to become a larger part of Open Studios.”

Negron-Quinones also highlighted two other relatively new group sites: the First Baptist Church at 633 Centre Street, and the Hope Central Church at 85 Seaverns Street. “These sites have a nice mix of new and returning artists and are a definite must-visit.”

Another popular feature this year – visitors can explore the current art and the neighborhood history of Jamaica Plain through the first JPOS bicycle tour! The theme of the bicycle tour is (Re)Cycling thru Work and will include a dozen local artists that use recycled materials and reclaim garbage to create beautiful art. The bicycle tour will allow art enthusiasts to visit individual artist’s studios and speak with the artists themselves – while comfortably cycling from one Jamaica Plain neighborhood to the next.

The bicycle tour will have an official guided three-hour tour Saturday morning led by Bikes Not Bombs youth who will safely lead participants on a slow-paced ride through Jamaica Plain to visit and meet recycling artists. This tour will begin with a bicycle safety check, breakfast hosted by the Hyde Square Task Force, and then a leisurely afternoon of studio visits. If you cannot make Saturday morning , you can still do a self-guided tour. There will be an iphone app available for download on the JPOS website and there will be icons on the JPOS artist map that cyclists can use to create their own bike tour.

Free maps will be distributed at local JP businesses and are available at information booths during the event at the Brewery (284 Amory St.), JP Licks (659 Center St.) and the Eliot School (24 Eliot St.). Maps in English and Spanish are also available for download from www.jpopenstudios.com. All Open Studios sites are MBTA accessible on the Orange Line at the Jackson Square, Stony Brook, Green Street and Forest Hills stations as well as several bus routes. More information is available by calling 617-855-5767 (JPOS).