The Topanga Artists’ Studio Tour, one of the most unique art experiences in Los Angeles, is taking place the first weekend in June with new artists, new locations, and the same beautiful setting our canyon offers. For the next month the work of all 43 artists on the Tour is showing at the Topanga Canyon Gallery.
“I don’t miss this experience if I can possible avoid it, “says Seri Bryant, former resident of Topanga. “I have followed the evolution of art forms over the years through my visits to the studios and discussions with the artists. I’m constantly impressed with how artists constantly strive to see and present their vision in different ways. I have enriched my new home with the works of Topanga artists.”
For 18 years Topanga Canyon Gallery has sponsored the Tour, offering art lovers from Southern California the opportunity to visit artists’ studios throughout the canyon and experience their art, as well as work from a variety of guest artists. This self-directed driving tour of artist’s studios throughout Topanga begins at Topanga Canyon Gallery where participants pick up a map and wrist band.
The number of artists applying to the Tour this year was higher than ever, enabling the jury to select and curate an excellent experience for visitors.
This year there are 19 locations to choose from at the north end of the canyon, Old Topanga, and in Fernwood. Seven of the locations will be new to visitors who have done the tour before, offering a look at the studios of sculptors, painters, mixed media, and glass artists.
Forty-three artists are participating on the Tour, with more than a third of them new to experienced Tour visitors. This includes artists who create in encaustic, paintings, sculpture, and raku. The Gallery has also created new combinations of artists at many locations to give visitors a variety of work to experience at each stop. Artists, whose work many regular Tour attendees look forward to, will be showing new work.
Each artist on the Tour has a piece of work displayed at the Gallery until May 3, providing a delightful array in every medium imaginable. When you pick up your tickets, take a moment to enjoy the show, plan your personal tour, and survey the Silent Auction items whose winners will be announced at the Tour Reception on Saturday evening, June 1, 5:30-8 p.m.
“The Studio Tour is the major fundraising event for the Gallery and is what allows us to continue as one of the few fine art galleries in the area,” says Gallery president Patrick Ramsey. “All 20 artist members of the Gallery work hard to make it happen. What really drives all of us in this effort, however, is making art accessible and interesting to the public. In a time where there is so little art in schools and around us, we think it’s important and a pleasure for people to spend a day or two immersing themselves in art and having fun doing it.”
The Gallery show runs May 1 through June 2. The Studio Tour is June 1-2. Tickets are available online at TopangaCanyonGallery.com/studiotour and in the Gallery. For more information: (310) 455-7909; TopangaCanyonGallery.com.
Topanga Canyon Gallery, founded in Topanga in 1989, is an artist-owned mutual benefit corporation. It is located at 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga CA 90290.