SLO Arts | Celebrate the Arts in SLO County

SLO ARTS Get ready to celebrate the arts in SLO County!

BY KATY MCGRATH, SLO COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

very October, the artists of San Luis Obispo County open their studios to the public to provide a glimpse into the creative process of expressing themselves through art. The pandemic threw a wrench into the event, as people stayed in their homes and didn’t welcome strangers into their socially distanced spaces. This year, the Open Studios Art Tour (OSAT) of SLO County returns post-pandemic with a host of new artists and exciting changes for the public and participating artists alike. 2022 marks the 24th year of OSAT, which will take place over the weekends of October 8-9 and October 15-16. Over 100 artists from throughout SLO County are participating spanning visual arts like paintings and sculpture to wearable art like textiles, clothing, and jewelry. Free to the public, visitors create their own self-guided tour using the catalog of artists.

New for this year, there will be satellite events to accompany studio tours!

October 7 | 7 to 10 p.m.

Open Studios Art Tour Kick-Off Event at Bang the Drum Brewery Join OSAT artists and patrons and enjoy live music, food and drink, and an art auction. Tickets are on sale through the QR code below, and your ticket purchase will enter you into a raffle for a chance to win some fun goodies.

Order Tickets: my805tix.com/e/osat

October 8 | 12 to 6 p.m.

“Studios in the Wild” at Venteux Vineyards with The Makeshift Muse Join us for the inaugural “Studios in the Wild” fine art market presented in partnership with The Makeshift Muse. There will be wine pourings and live music to accompany a fun afternoon and evening perusing local vendors with the stunning backdrop of Venteux Winery. No tickets necessary!

October 15 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Equality Murals Artist Talk and Tour at La Plaza

The Equality Mural Project is a public art project dedicated to adding murals to downtown Atascadero depicting different aspects of equality. Come learn about the project and attend a free workshop with Los Angeles-based artist Cynthia Luján about public art, neighborhood revitalization, and transportation.

Maps will also be available for pick-up to tour each mural and access audio-recorded artist talks! October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) — a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. NAHM was launched by Americans for the Arts more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1993, it was reestablished by Americans for the Arts and national arts partners as a month-long celebration, with goals of focusing on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels; encouraging individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts; allowing governments and businesses to show their support of the arts; and raising public awareness about the positive impact of the arts and humanities in our communities and lives.

National Arts & Humanities Month is an opportunity for everyone to help promote the crucial role of the arts and humanities in promoting individual wellbeing, addressing trauma, connecting cultures, highlighting inequities, and making our communities healthier and stronger.

The San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, as the local partner of the California Arts Council, advances the visual, literary, and performing arts through programs that promote public access to the arts, arts in educational settings, local arts planning and collaboration, and opportunities for artists and arts organizations.

More information about the Open Studios Tour and downloadable maps can be found at slocountyarts.org/OSAT, and artist profiles can be found at members.slocountyarts.org. 