Mid City Artists Open their Studios on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 & 23, 2011

This is such a great opportunity to walk or bike in the neighborhood and see some exciting art! You can purchase original art for holiday gifts or for that discerning friend that you want to impress. As I toured the studios of some of the Mid City Artists today, I was reminded of how wonderfully creative and liveable our neighborhood is. Besides seeing the artists in their studios, I stopped by several shops which are business supporters of the Mid City Artists. Good coffee, good food, good chocolate, good art, good design, good gifts, good, good, good! What more can we ask for. Check the businesses out on the maps which are available at the artist studios.  Carmel and the new Room & Board Home Furnishings Store located at 14th and T St. NW are two of many businesses and galleries collaborating with Mid City Artists during the weekend of the Fall Open Studios.

If you get out tomorrow, enjoy the fall splendor, indulge your eyes with the beauty of art, meet the artists and support this wonderfully creative aspect of our community, the Mid City Artists. Stop by Regina Miele's new space on 14th Street. She just moved in across the street from Raven Arts. Regina has a brand new light filled space which houses her studio, frame shop in back and a gallery with street level access. It's as inviting as she is and presently filled with some of her beautiful oil paintings.

harmon art lab is the creation of artists Peter e Harper and Thomas Drymon and is just down the street in a space that houses a gallery and artists studios on the upper floor. HAL is a creative collaboration that ties art curator, artist and viewer into an interactive dialogue of ideas and engagement.

Thomas Drymon and Peter e Harper at HAL

Painter Sally Kauffman just moved into her new studio in the building where you can see her oil and acrylic abstract paintings.  

 Painter Sally Kauffman in her studio.

Robert Weiner is the artist behind DC Art Glass. The studio is filled with his signature Colorbar Murrine Series as table and wall sculptures and lighting sculpture, along with affordable jewelry that shimmers as diachronous glass bracelets, necklaces and earrings. I was particularly drawn to his new cone bowls in gold and green tones. There are also select creations of bowls in solid colors, of which my favorite was red. Simply gorgeous! 

Robert Weiner of DC Art Glass

 Robert Weiner's glass bowls

 I'm always delighted to step into the studio of found object sculptor Chuck Baxter.  It's a mixture of delight and recognition of the found objects that are transformed into whimsical sculpture.

 Chuck Baxter in his  Studio.

While I was checking out his work, a music box sculpture was purchased by someone as soon as they heard it. The person was reminded of her childhood from the bits and pieces and sounds of the piece. Chuck's work is definitely a must see!

Music box. SOLD

 Chuck Baxter - found object sculptures

21 Member Artists are Opening Their Doors to the Public and it's free to go see them. Plan your visits in advance by flipping through the artists' pages online to see what you like, who is new, and who is participating. The Fall Open Studios runs from 12 to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23. Spend your weekend visiting Mid City Artists and see the community on foot, bike or public transit. Download the map to guide you along. Use the Capital Bikeshare program to get around.  Find more information and a handy reference map. http://www.midcityartists.com/.

You'll be able to pick up a printed map at many of the locations. 
Have fun and buy some art!