“It’s somewhat different seeing an artist in their own space,” said Deena Ball, a landscape painter and organizer of the Falmouth Open Studio Tour.
On Saturday, Ball is opening the doors of her Falmouth home studio, which is made up of two horse stables that were converted to a workspace. She will give painting demonstrations and chat with visitors, who can also take a peek at her works in progress, see the shelves full of books that inspire her, and experience her work in the context in which it was created.
“There’s some texture on some of my watercolors, and I let (visitors) touch it. I don’t think a gallery owner lets them do that,” said Ball.
While it might not be widely considered a community of artists, in Falmouth barns, garages and living rooms, local creatives are crafting away nonetheless. While they typically work tucked away by themselves or occasionally with clients, on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., eight Falmouth artists will open their studios to all through the Falmouth Open Studio Tour.
Ball first organized the tour three years ago after participating in a similar event outside of Philadelphia. This year, the tour features eight artists in five studios, as some artists will be sharing studios if their space is not suitable for visitors. Featured artists include a woodworker, a potter and an abstract painter.
Lisa Ferreira Jones is inviting the tour into her garage studio, where she creates custom nature-inspired light fixtures by both metalsmithing and handmaking paper. In her third year participating in the studio tour, she said that seeing her workspace and tools helps people understand the labor that goes into her creations.
On Saturday, Ferreira Jones will also demonstrate the her process of paper making to visitors. She embeds Maine botanicals she’s harvested by hand into the paper slurry.
“I think (visitors) really get to connect with the story and the process behind it, and that builds on the connection and the sentimental value of buying something that somebody crafted,” said Ferreira Jones. “You really get the raw, behind-the-scenes process.”
When she’s not taking portraits across locations in southern Maine, portrait and documentary photographer Tricia Toms is working in her home studio. As part of the studio tour, visitors will be able to pose in front of a small set and see a sampling of her work. Toms will also offer a raffle for $300 worth of her photography work that she’s donating, with the proceeds supporting the Falmouth Food Pantry.
“I want the whole visit to be interactive. I want people to feel comfortable touching and looking at the artwork. I want them to meet me. I want them to support the food pantry,” said Toms.
The tour serves as a way for artists to get the word out that they are located right in Falmouth, encouraging residents to shop local or keep them in mind for their next creative project.
“Some people discovered, ‘Oh, we didn’t know there was a photographer in our community.’” said Toms.
“We’re really trying to get the word out about the arts and fine craft community, and letting the local community know that we’re here, and you can support us, support your neighbors, and also just to bring awareness that the arts are here,” said Ferreira Jones.
Through the tour Falmouth artists and residents also connect over art and strengthen the creative fabric of the town.
“I think that some of it’s a source of community pride, in a way. We have all these people doing these cool things that live here,” said Ball.
“I took away more than I gave, in a weird way. Meeting so many people is so gratifying,” said Toms. “It’s just so nice to just meet people and share the love. I mean, art is such a unifier.”
IF YOU GO
“Falmouth Open Studio Tour” is on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Use the map with addresses to all the studios, or keep an eye out for blue and white balloons outside participating studios on Saturday. Email Deena Ball at [email protected] with questions.
