The Seventh Annual Artists’ Open Studios-Botetourt Tour features a dozen artists and work by art students at Lord Botetourt and James River High Schools Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Participating artists will open their studios to the public to present their work and show how and where their artwork is produced.
The 12 artists who will be at eight locations on the free self-guided driving tour this year are Lois Bisese, Ed Bordett, Nancy Dahlstrom, Vera Dickerson, Bill Divers, Brett LaGue, Judy Lochbrunner, David Jermann, Dan Jones, Willie Simmons, Julia Wesson and Mark Rader Woodie.
Again this year, as time permits, some of the artists will give demonstrations during the weekend to explain the materials, methods and processes they use. Possible demonstrations are in such media as printmaking, woodturning and carving, painting and mixed media processes.
The art teachers at the two county high schools have chosen their best students to make a painting of a favorite subject, and these works will be displayed in the studios during the Open Studios Tour.
A portion of the sale of the student works will go to support the League of Animal Protection (LAP) in Botetourt County.
Again this year, the “Studio Passport” will be available. Visitors can pick one up at any studio and fill it out with their contact information for a chance to receive a $150 gift certificate toward the purchase of an art work of their choice.
Sponsors for the studio tour this year are Bank of Botetourt, The Bank of Fincastle, Virginia’s Blue Ridge and the Office of Economic Development in Botetourt County.
For more information and a map of the studio locations, visit www.openstudiosbotetourt.com; or contact Vera Dickerson, vera.dickerson@gmail.com, or Brett LaGue, brett@brett-art.com.
Open Studios-Botetourt signs will be along the way to help visitors with directions.
The Open Studio locations are:
- Ed Bordett, 5 East Main St., Fincastle, with Brett LaGue
- Vera Dickerson, 148 W. Arrowhead Court, Troutville, with Lois Bisese
- Willie Simmons, 329 Botetourt Road, Fincastle, with Bill Divers and Julia Wesson
- Mark Rader Woodie, 149 Dale Road, Troutville
- David Jermann, 9 Borden Run Road, Fincastle.
- Nancy Dahlstrom, 1608 Springwood Road, Fincastle.
- Don Jones, 1069 Sprinkle Road, Fincastle.
- Judith F. Lochbrunner, 42 Stone Coal Road, Troutville.
