Tyler Street Open Studios

Creative Minds Building Bonds in Our Community

Cooper Mickelson

It’s no question that art and culture build a community. Art brings people together through its ability to tell a community’s shared narrative, the capacity to inspire reflection, and the power to form connections between vastly different individuals. Ultimately, Art binds us. Of course, Art doesn’t only bring us together figuratively. It also brings us together physically — through museums, gallery shows, and performance spaces.

Our little town of Benicia is beyond blessed to be home to such a fantastic abundance of artists. In years past, this community of artists and artisans have welcomed visitors to experience their Open Studios event (usually held the first weekend of May).

Unfortunately, Open Studios hasn’t been able to take place over the past two years. A group of Benicia artists has been feeling the lack of feedback and missing interaction with art lovers, collectors, and friends over this time. To reconnect our community, they have decided to create the Tyler Street Open Studios! On October 9th and 10th, between 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, 24 artists in 940 Tyler St will be exhibiting their recent work along with 5 artists in the adjacent art studio building at 991 Tyler Street. This event will give us the unique opportunity to talk individually with artists and view some truly remarkable work. 940 Tyler Street in the Historic Arsenal building is full of exceptional artists, including sculptors, painters of all genres, photographers, and even fashion designers! During the pandemic, as other artist’s studio buildings in the Bay Area have closed down, more artists from the East Bay have found these beautiful light-filled studios that invite exploration of creativity.

New artists include Randy Sexton, Jan Blythe, Sergio Nates, Kelly Webster, Robert Hernandez, and Aramanthea Kupco. They join long term artists Joe Garcia, Paula Boas, Peter McNeil, Susan Marcus Sachs, Anne Petty, Mike Wittels, Jeff Tover, Michelle Headstrom, Maggie Vaile, Laura Garcia, Peg Jackson, Richard Padfield, and Tober Tover.

In addition, Erika VonZoog, Chris Holde-Meade, Connie Millholland, Janet Brock Hughes, and Vicki Dennis will be inviting you to their studios in the adjacent art studio (991 Tyler St.) Photographers John Klycinsky, Brady Thomas, and the Matthew Powers Gallery — as well as fashion designers Sabrina Edelman and Vanite Fashion — will also be welcoming visitors.

This is a free event so bring yourself, your friends, your family, and your neighbors down to the Tyler Street Open Studios. We’ll see you there!

If you’re looking to fill your entire weekend with art fun, Arts Benicia is hosting their Family Art Day on Sunday, October 10th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Arts Benicia Gallery and Classroom. Children and their families are invited to explore the world of art with hands-on projects that engage and educate. This event will be inspired by Mark Eane’s Shifting Sands, A Survey, an exhibition on display until October 24th. This event is free and open to the public. Supplies will be provided!