Pawling, NY: Celebrating its 12th year, the award-winning ArtEast Open Studios Tour will be held on October 13-14 and October 20-21, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm. Visitors are invited to meet the artists in their studios or creative work spaces located in the eastern Dutchess County NY towns of Dover Plains, Wingdale, Poughquag, Hopewell Jct., Holmes, Patterson and Pawling. The tour is held during the peak foliage season in the Hudson Valley and the scenic roads that meander through this part of the Hudson Valley offer a vibrant display of autumnal color.

Organized and run by artists, the ArtEast Open Studio Tour provides visitors with an intimate look at artists’ works in progress. Studio visitors have a rare opportunity to learn more about the artists and their studio practice as well as a chance to purchase artwork directly from the artist. The tour offers a great fusion of disciplines and media ranging from fine art ceramics, sculpture, painting, digital art and photography to applied arts including decorative and fiber-based work. Each of the 30 artists bring their own unique, creative process to the tour. This year four new artists have joined the tour and they will each show and discuss their artistic approaches using various media.

Along the tour route you may find some of the ArtEast Public Art Projects. Pawling town center is the home to “Artea” the painted turtle, the public art project from 2016. This year’s project is artist-painted/decorated antique milk cans that may be used as a planter, umbrella stand or even a bird bath! The fun and unique milk cans are for sale and have been placed around the tour area in front of sponsors’ businesses. Check the website for specific locations. Profits from the sale of the milk cans will be donated to the Pawling Resource Center.

And don’t miss seeing ArtEast artists at the Pawling Farmers Market giving demos of their work on August 8, Sept. 1 and Sept. 29. An ArtEast Sneak Peak Preview Show will be on display Sept. 1-29 at Front Street Gallery, Patterson, NY. You may also come across the occasional popup show here and there where artists will be will talking about their work. Tour brochures will be available at these events as well as local merchants.

Visitors can plan their tour by going to the website, www.arteastdutchess.com, following ArtEast Dutchess on Facebook and Instagram or for more info contact [email protected].