The Brandywine Valley is an enchanted location for art. From its rich artistic history to the number of artists who call it home, fabulous views await around every corner. There is no better way to explore both the landscape and the art than the County Studio Tour, the Chester County edition of which is next weekend. On Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 76 studios will host 202 artists with thousands of works on view.
This year marks the 14th County Studio Tour, an event that has grown annually. “The County Studio Tour creates an incredible opportunity to explore the creative process of a variety of artists and allows you to gain firsthand insight into their work,” said Jeff Schaller, organizer and founder of the event.
Unique to the County Studio Tour is that many of the stops are the studios and even homes of the artists on view. It provides insight for art lovers into the process of creation, seeing the inspiration and surroundings artists make for themselves. Galleries, shared studios, and shops will also participate.
Artists have been preparing for this event all year and are ready for a busy weekend.
“We’re eager and excited to share what we’ve been creating in anticipation of our best tour yet,” said Kimberly Showers, who is showing at Studio 48 in West Chester along with host Cary Galbraith.
The number of artists at each spot varies, and the collaborative spirit really shines as they come together for the Tour. “Studio 57 is going to be one of the must-visit studios this year with a variety of art,” said Nimrat Sandhu. She will be at the studio of Rachel Coleman, along with Emie Hughes, Phil Binder, Nikki Green, and Michael Kenny. “Rachel has graciously opened up her home to host us and showcase her stunning work,” Sandhu said.
Part of the appeal is seeing the gorgeous and creative spaces artists customize to their own tastes. Adrian Martinez at Studio 26 offers a peek into his home full of curated artwork, handmade furniture, and stunning stained-glass windows throughout the grand old lady in Downingtown. Those who travel Ship Road in Exton often will recognize Studio 19 as the corner with the sculptures of playing children, as well as the home studio of Nilanjan Bhowmik, who will be joined by Pete Prown and Purnima Gupta.
There will also be special events throughout the weekend, including artists showing off their processes. “There will be a live art demo on both days at 1 pm,” said Ivy Egger, who is showing at Studio 25 along with Nina Yocum, Saurabh Oza, Alecia Miller, and Shanthi Manickam.
For those who want a preview of the event, View: The Art of the Chester County Studio Tour is at the Chester County Art Association from May 8 through 30. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. where many artists will be on hand. All the 202 artists included in the 2024 County Studio Tour were invited, so it will be an excellent way to plan your weekend travels.
The early bird gets the worm through the weekend, as each artist will offer one “County Collector” piece of original art. These 6” x 6” artworks, each priced $90, they are fun way to add to your personal art collection. Various media including oils, watercolors, sculptures, jewelry, Pysanky, and more will be available.
The full map of studios, participating artists, and the popular “Find 5” feature to identify the closest spots to your own home can be found online at CountyStudioTour.com.
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
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