It’s no secret that the St. Croix valley is brimming with artistic talent. This month, artists and the public will come together during two regional events: the artOPENer and the Pottery Tour. For both, local artists will open their studio doors to offer a rare glimpse into their creative processes.
“You get to really connect a physical location to a work that’s being created in that space,” says Heather Rutledge, executive director of ArtReach St. Croix. “I always enjoy getting a behind-the-scenes look.”
The artOPENer highlights artists who work in a wide variety of media, from jewelry and paint to pottery and glass. Originally started as an artistic alternative to Wisconsin’s fishing opener (thus, the play on words in the event’s name), it has grown to include 11 studios and 22 artists, including venues as far-reaching as an urban loft and a wilderness retreat.
The Pottery Tour is perfect for those who would like to focus in-depth on one medium. “We have a great number of potters in Minnesota and the St. Croix Valley seems to be an epicenter for ceramics—not only nationally, but internationally,” says Guillermo Cuellar, artist and owner of Guillermo Pottery. The event’s scope is anything but limited: It features the work of 54 artists from 18 states.
artOPENer
Free
May 3–4
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Locations vary; check online.
artopener.com
Pottery Tour
May 8–10
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday
Locations vary; check online.
minnesotapotters.com
