The Orange County Open Studio Tour

There's nothing like a beautiful fall day awash in color to venture out into the rolling landscape of Orange County and take a gander at some incredible art. Each year, this is what the Orange County Open Studio Tour offers us. It's a chance to see the artists in their natural habitat.

In 2004, the 10th Annual Open Studio Tour is November 6th & 7th and November 13th & 14th, Saturdays from 10 am - 5 pm and Sundays from 12 am to 5 pm. Seventy Orange County artists are participating in the juried exhibition and sale this year. Media included are painting - oils, acrylic & watercolor, engraving/etching, ceramics - sculptural and functional, metals - jewelry & sculpture, stained glass, woodworking - furniture & boxes, fiber art, photography, illustrations, children's books, and mixed media.

Work at the ArtsCenter

Two preview exhibitions featuring all artists are at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro and The Burwell School in Hillsborough, with the opening reception at the Arts Center on October 29th. The Reception, tour and exhibitions are free and open to the public. All artwork is for sale.

Elaine O'Neil in her studio

This year features 46 returning artists, and several newcomers including potters, painters, sculptors and textile artists. Two artists new to the tour this year are Joan VanderMeer and Elaine O'Neil.

VanderMeer has been painting for a few years, and has become known for her brightly colored paintings depicting fake-fingernail clad cows and other animals exhibiting human qualities, as well as other subject matter in beautifully painted frames.

Elaine O'Neil's unique folk art textiles caught our eye at the ArtsCenter preview, so we checked out her studio to see more of her wonderful work. O'Neil also offers framed prints of some of her pieces, as well as cards, gift tags, and other extremely affordable items.

Besty Vaden and Elisabeth Niedermann

The Clay Centre in Carrboro was definitely the place to be, as 7 ceramic artists displayed their diverse collection of of pottery, quilts, scarves and more.

Started a couple of years ago by ceramic artist Barbara Higgins, this co-op offers arts classes of all sorts, in a tranquil setting that is perfect to get the creative juices flowing. In addition to Higgins work, Holly Taylor, Carolyn Doyle, Judith Ernst, Elisabeth Niedermann, Betsy Vaden, and Claudia Prose all have work for sale. It's quite a collection.

Be sure to take a peek at the Alice in Wonderland commissioned pieces that are on loan from the folks who purchased them. They are truly a sight to see.

Work by Barbara Higgens at the Clay Centre

Work by Barbara Higgens at the Clay Centre

Work by Hollie Taylor at the Clay Centre