Happy Friday everyone! What a wonderful work week it was, but I am happy the weekend has arrived. It’s going to be a great weekend, packed with all sorts of Halloween extravaganzas. I hope you have a lot of fun.
The fun has already started in West Concord. Yesterday, Oct. 27 was day one of the three-day West Concord Designers Annual Open Studio Show. This weekend marks the 17th consecutive year the artists have gotten together for open studios. I have attended in years past and don’t have space here to mention all the wonderful things about it, so I’ll just give a few highlights, though I strongly recommend you check it out for yourself. Like me, you will be in awe of the talent along Commonwealth Avenue and Beharrell and Bradford streets. Undoubtedly, you will find more than one gift on your holiday list as well as a little trinket (or two) for yourself.
Hillary Taylor’s handmade silver jewelry at Merlin’s Silver Star Studio is an excellent start. Hillary, who grew up in Carlisle, first began dabbling in jewelry making while in middle school. Recognizing her enthusiasm for the craft, her parents Art Taylor and Janet Lovejoy, signed Hillary up for classes at DeCordova Museum. Hillary went on to earn degrees in education and business, but now works works solely in her studio.
“I never thought I’d do it as a profession,” said Hillary, in her funky - she likes to use the word ‘whimsical’ - Beharrell Street studio which boasts bold purple tones on the walls and a huge silver star painted on the floor, and tables where Hillary holds classes.
This is Hillary’s 11th year participating in the open studio, and like other years, she is co-chairing the event with Robin L. Bergman of Robin Originals Creative Knits Studio on Bradford Street. Twenty-five artists are featured and many, such as Hillary, will do demonstrations. The Open Studios is more than just a shopping adventure for you and me, it’s primary goal is to raise awareness of the arts and exposure for the artists.
“I am not a small business,” said Hillary, “I am a tiny business. These sort of things bring people in.”
Both Robin and Hillary will host other artists in their studios. The studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., today and tomorrow.
A few samples of art I saw included a funky mirror designed by Elisa Drumm Van Auken using bright paint colors and carpricious shapes. How can anyone not like their reflection in this? Visiting artist Valerie Hector will display sophisticated beaded jewelry, Lisa and Laura Berlin of Retrocraft Design will feature “re-envisioned” vintage furnishings in their Bradford Street studio.
West Concord merchants are also supporting the Open Studios, said Hillary. They include Forever Tile, Crosby Signs, The Women’s Well, Vintages, 1 on 1 Self Indulgence, Nashoba Brook Bakery & Cafe, Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Reflections, Patriot Electric, Starz Salon, Slowpokes BBQ, Acton Kitchen & Bath, Concord Teacakes, Quilter’s Way, West Concord Liquors, Reasons to be Cheerful, Verrill Farm, Fire Fly, Noa, and Dabbler’s, which is devoting window space for artists to showcase their work.
Check out - better yet - “like” the Facebook page by clicking here. That will also keep you abreast of all the artists’ endeavors throughout the year. Parking is readily available, and weather permitting, you can park once and stroll through the village on your way to the different studios. Best of luck to all the artists and business for a successful Open Studio.
That’s a take
Before closing, I want to send a thank you to Nancy Wright who tipped me off about HGTV filming at a house on Nimrod Road. I stopped by there Wednesday night to see a slew of cars parked along the otherwise quiet side street and a film crew huddled under a tree on the front lawn. I did not see any action, but was told that Powderhouse Productions was filming a pilot. It may be aired, it may not be aired. Stay tuned. Sorry I did not get more information, but I will keep looking for some and let you know more when I know more.
Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at mcb23@comcast.net or Stefanie at stefanie@stefanieac@comcast.net and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.
