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5/4/13 San Mateo Daily Journal
Printed from THE DAILY JOURNAL, dtd. 05/04/2013
Art, up close and personal: Silicon Valley Open Studios launches this
weekend
May 04, 2013, 05:00 AM By Samantha Weigel Daily Journal correspondent
Bay Area artists will have an exclusive opportunity to reach out to community members and flaunt their talents over the next three weekends for the 27th annual Silicon Valley Open Studios.
More than 350 artists will open their doors in anticipation of visitors during May 4-5, May 11-12 and May 18-19. The event is free and open for anyone to attend.
“All artists generally like to talk about their work,” said painter Mary Collins.
Collins and 16 other artists work out of studio space at
Peninsula Studios in San Mateo; 10 of which will be open to Samantha Weigel/Daily Journal
the public this weekend. Mary Collins in her studio prepares for the 27th annual
Collins transitioned to painting five years ago. Although this is her first year participating in the SVOS, Collins is no stranger to communicating her talent.
“I think with all art, it’s personal. I probably feel fine doing that because every piece you have is part of yourself, so you just open up and put it out there,” Collins said.
The public can browse the intimate workspace of an artist and make a true connection with them, said Mel Thomsen, executive director of the SVOS.
“People love to collect work from artists that they know; and to have the chance to meet and really make a friendship with them, that’s a great part of this deal,” Thomsen said.
The event enables fans, collectors and gallery owners to be introduced to many local talents.
Participants come from a range of experience and work in various mediums, Thomsen said. Some artists have been participating in the SVOS for 25 years, Thomsen said, while others like Collins are fresh on the tour.
“We act as an incubator for young and emerging artists,” Thomsen said.
As a beacon of creative and technological expertise, Silicon Valley has amassed a large population of fine art supporters.
“It’s amazing how many of those people are technologists by day and artists by night,” Thomsen said.
Even a couple physicists turned artists have participated in past events, Thomsen said. Similarly, Collins worked as a recruiter for Bay Area startups before returning back to her artistic roots. Her style and choice of mediums have transformed throughout her life. She started out in a darkroom teaching high school students before spending time in New York shooting in the fashion and beauty scene, Collins said.
Dedication and perseverance are necessary to survive in the art world. So after years in the dot-com scene, Collins received a degree in art history and hasn’t stopped painting since.
“I decided if I was going to go into this art thing, I was going to go full speed,” Collins said.
Collins found inspiration and motivation being around other artists. In joining the Peninsula Studios, she was able to nurture and hone her skills.
Passersby would never guess the warehouse building
sandwiched between two auto body shops was turned into studio art spaces just three years ago. Events like SVOS allow for a rare look into the typically private facility.
www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview_print.php?id=1767858 1/2
Silicon Valley Open Studios.
5/4/13 San Mateo Daily Journal
“I just like to share the whole art experience with people who love art,” Collins said.
Peninsula Studios aspires to this notion and has decided to host future exhibits for one artist each month, Collins said.
There are several other multi-artist locations on the SVOS tour, but most people are individuals who open their private studios, Thomsen said.
Events that encourage meaningful conversations between an artist and an observer can be rare. The continual foot traffic of an art and wine walk doesn’t allot much time for conversation, Thomsen said. Gallery owners serve as a middleman to facilitate purchases so collectors may not be able to get up close and personal with the artist during an exhibition, Thomsen said.
Viewers will have a chance to see large bodies of collections including brand-new work while learning about the processes, skills and inspiration that goes into a particular piece.
There are about 150 different venues spanning from Burlingame to Gilroy so travelers can pick and choose where to stop from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each city participates on a specific weekend so Thomsen advises to check ahead and plan one’s trip accordingly. The SVOS guide contains everything one needs to know about the event and pickup locations for print copies can be found on its website. Watch out for the bright yellow signs that indicate participating studios.
“When you look around, it’s amazing some of the art you can find. Such a wide range of diversity of artwork, it’s mind-boggling,” Thomsen said. “That’s what makes it such a fun day to travel around.”
For more information, artists’ names, locations and dates visit www.svos.com. For more information about Collins and Peninsula Studio artists visit www.peninsulastudios.com.
www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview_print.php?id=1767858 2/2
5/4/13 San Mateo Daily Journal
Printed from THE DAILY JOURNAL, dtd. 05/04/2013
Art, up close and personal: Silicon Valley Open Studios launches this
weekend
May 04, 2013, 05:00 AM By Samantha Weigel Daily Journal correspondent
Bay Area artists will have an exclusive opportunity to reach out to community members and flaunt their talents over the next three weekends for the 27th annual Silicon Valley Open Studios.
More than 350 artists will open their doors in anticipation of visitors during May 4-5, May 11-12 and May 18-19. The event is free and open for anyone to attend.
“All artists generally like to talk about their work,” said painter Mary Collins.
Collins and 16 other artists work out of studio space at
Peninsula Studios in San Mateo; 10 of which will be open to Samantha Weigel/Daily Journal
the public this weekend. Mary Collins in her studio prepares for the 27th annual
Collins transitioned to painting five years ago. Although this is her first year participating in the SVOS, Collins is no stranger to communicating her talent.
“I think with all art, it’s personal. I probably feel fine doing that because every piece you have is part of yourself, so you just open up and put it out there,” Collins said.
The public can browse the intimate workspace of an artist and make a true connection with them, said Mel Thomsen, executive director of the SVOS.
“People love to collect work from artists that they know; and to have the chance to meet and really make a friendship with them, that’s a great part of this deal,” Thomsen said.
The event enables fans, collectors and gallery owners to be introduced to many local talents.
Participants come from a range of experience and work in various mediums, Thomsen said. Some artists have been participating in the SVOS for 25 years, Thomsen said, while others like Collins are fresh on the tour.
“We act as an incubator for young and emerging artists,” Thomsen said.
As a beacon of creative and technological expertise, Silicon Valley has amassed a large population of fine art supporters.
“It’s amazing how many of those people are technologists by day and artists by night,” Thomsen said.
Even a couple physicists turned artists have participated in past events, Thomsen said. Similarly, Collins worked as a recruiter for Bay Area startups before returning back to her artistic roots. Her style and choice of mediums have transformed throughout her life. She started out in a darkroom teaching high school students before spending time in New York shooting in the fashion and beauty scene, Collins said.
Dedication and perseverance are necessary to survive in the art world. So after years in the dot-com scene, Collins received a degree in art history and hasn’t stopped painting since.
“I decided if I was going to go into this art thing, I was going to go full speed,” Collins said.
Collins found inspiration and motivation being around other artists. In joining the Peninsula Studios, she was able to nurture and hone her skills.
Passersby would never guess the warehouse building
sandwiched between two auto body shops was turned into studio art spaces just three years ago. Events like SVOS allow for a rare look into the typically private facility.
www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview_print.php?id=1767858 1/2
Silicon Valley Open Studios.
5/4/13 San Mateo Daily Journal
“I just like to share the whole art experience with people who love art,” Collins said.
Peninsula Studios aspires to this notion and has decided to host future exhibits for one artist each month, Collins said.
There are several other multi-artist locations on the SVOS tour, but most people are individuals who open their private studios, Thomsen said.
Events that encourage meaningful conversations between an artist and an observer can be rare. The continual foot traffic of an art and wine walk doesn’t allot much time for conversation, Thomsen said. Gallery owners serve as a middleman to facilitate purchases so collectors may not be able to get up close and personal with the artist during an exhibition, Thomsen said.
Viewers will have a chance to see large bodies of collections including brand-new work while learning about the processes, skills and inspiration that goes into a particular piece.
There are about 150 different venues spanning from Burlingame to Gilroy so travelers can pick and choose where to stop from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each city participates on a specific weekend so Thomsen advises to check ahead and plan one’s trip accordingly. The SVOS guide contains everything one needs to know about the event and pickup locations for print copies can be found on its website. Watch out for the bright yellow signs that indicate participating studios.
“When you look around, it’s amazing some of the art you can find. Such a wide range of diversity of artwork, it’s mind-boggling,” Thomsen said. “That’s what makes it such a fun day to travel around.”
For more information, artists’ names, locations and dates visit www.svos.com. For more information about Collins and Peninsula Studio artists visit www.peninsulastudios.com.
www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview_print.php?id=1767858 2/2