What is it?
An open studio is just what the name suggests-when an artist opens his/her studio to the general public. It can be anything from a casual Sunday afternoon affair, to a more formal evening event with wine and cheese and whatnot. For us, it's a wonderful opportunity to show our work to potential buyers, curators, gallery owners, etc., in a relaxed environment. For the attendees, it's a great way for them to see how an artist works, see some works in progress, and talk to the artist.
When should I have an open studio?
Plan ahead. You can have it any time of year, but make sure it's a good time for you (e.g. not right before or after an exhibition) and for your guests (e.g. certain holiday weekends, right after they had to pay their taxes). Give yourself plenty of time to have some new works to show.
How do I get ready for it?
First, the obvious. Make sure you have enough stuff ready to show and sell. Also, it's nice to have works of different price ranges. For instance, no matter what kind of artist you are, it might be fun (and good PR) to get some cards and/or postcards made of your work. You can sell them in sets or give a postcard to each of your visitors. Display your larger, more expensive works better to show that you care about them as much as your buyers should.
Make sure your works are easily viewable. Even if you have stacks of paintings against walls, make sure they're spaced out that people can walk around and look at them. If you wish, you may want to have a price list available for interested buyers.
You'll want to make your studio presentable, but don't worry about making it pristine. It's OK to have dirty paint rags lying around or unfinished works out. That's the fun of an open studio for non-artists.
Also, be sure to have refreshments at hand. It doesn't have to fancy. Just think of it as throwing a little party.
Who do I invite?
You'll want to invite some friends and family with whom you'll feel comfortable. However, remember that this is a business event as well. Invite potential clients, gallery owners, curators, other artists, and anyone who is interested in collecting art.
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