Did you ever wonder how artists make their work? Would you like to see how they handle clay, weave threads, melt glass, shape a gourd, or combine odd things to make evocative new pieces? Or perhaps you’d like to know what a painter is thinking about and how their decisions are made. On Saturday, November 4th, you will once again have a chance to meet local artists, come into their studios, and see how the magic gets made during the fifth annual New Bern Artists Studio Tour.
During this free event, 50 artists will be stationed at 26 locations and have their doors open from 10am to 5pm. At the various stops you can encounter items made specifically for the tour, including smaller works, cards, and great gifts, as well as works in progress and portfolios of finished art. However, the real purpose of the tour is to let visitors have a behind the scenes look at how artists use their tools and creativity. This is a unique opportunity to speak with artists in person, ask questions, and observe their process up close.
Many different types of work will be shown including jewelry making, basket weaving, quilting, hat making, photography, and pieces made of wood, glass, and leather. There’s even one artist, Karla Kulp, who fashions unique vases and vessels by growing, carving, and decorating gourds. You can find her downtown at the Harrison Center. Plus, there will be plenty of painters working in all types of media and styles, from watercolor to colored pencils, oils to pastels, landscape to portraits, impressionism to abstraction.
The tour includes long-standing well-known locals, such as Janet Francoeur, the founder and former owner of Carolina Creations. Janet will be at her home studio in Ghent displaying both her pottery and iconic New Bern scenes. Also, new artists will be joining this year’s tour. Delight in the handwoven hats by Jennifer Haskins, or wonder at the nature photography of John McQuade, both of whom will be in the Trent Woods area. Some artists are building national and international reputations, like watercolorist Karen Schaaf from River Bend who will have recently returned from Europe after showing her work in Italy and Greece this fall.
With so much to see, it will be helpful to plan your day and there are several ways to do so. You can go to the tour’s website at newbernartists.com to learn more about each artist, download a printable map, or connect to a Google map of the tour. Starting in mid-October, free booklets will be available which include maps and images of each artist’s work. They can be picked up Craven Arts Council and Community Artists Gallery – both are downtown on Middle St. – or at the following businesses: Herne’s Jewelry, Small Batch Gifts, La Casetta Restaurant, United Storage and Savi’s Wine Shop.