Artists from a vibrant Kent County Artists Community will open their studio doors for the 12th consecutive year of the Artworks Studio Tour, October 29th and 30th and November 5th and 6th, 10am-5pm, rain or shine. This fascinating, self-guided journey will
lead you to discover amazing art by artists, many of whom are known and recognized for their achievements throughout the art world. Nearly 50 professionals will open their studios to demonstrate their craft and display their work. This self-guided tour is free and open to the public.
The art is as diverse as the artists who create it, with styles ranging from traditional to the avant-garde, expressed in a variety of media that includes painting, photography, sculpture, metal work, pottery, fiber, woodcraft, jewelry, furniture, glass and more. Every bit as joyful of seeing the magnificent art is meeting the individual artists who create the work.
Visitors have the options of walking through the 18th Century village of Chestertown and visiting the studios “downtown”. Or tour the countryside around Chestertown and Rock Hall and visit the studios in the outlying areas of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. Metal working, fine woodcraft, weaving, as well as painting overlooking the Chester River or the Chesapeake Bay, the options are numerous and all described in the Artworks Studio Tour Guide and the Artworks Studio Tour web site.
Examples of each artist’s work will be on display at the Artworks Gallery, 306 Park Row, providing a chance to plan an itinerary that matches one’s interest. Brochure maps may be found at the Gallery and at
restaurants and shops throughout Kent County, which provide a brief description of each artist along with directions to the studio. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday noon -3pm. During the Studio Tour, Gallery hours are Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 10-5. In addition, there will be wine receptions on Fridays, October 28 and November 4, from 5pm -8pm.
With so many artists opening their studios to the public, Artworks is inaugurating three opportunities to travel through Chestertown, Worton and Rock Hall….with lunch on the beach or in historic Emmanuel Church, and wine and hors d’oeuvres waterside in Rock Hall.
The first weekend of open studios, October 29th and 30th, while you are touring the outer ring studios, which include Worton and Rock Hall, you can have a Box Lunch on the beach at Arts at Still Pond Station. Then, later in the day, after touring the Rock Hall studios, you may enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres on the lawn of the Osprey Point Inn, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
The second weekend, November 5th and 6th, tour the inner ring studios in Queen Anne’s County and Downtown Chestertown and visit Historic Emmanuel Church in the center of town for a delightful lunch. Chestertown is a wonderful 18th century town where you can view many historic homes as you visit the studios. The outer ring option is also available during this weekend.
All lunches and the wine tasting require reservations no later than October 9th. Both groups and individuals are encouraged to participate in this offering..
Combine your Studio Tour with Chestertown’s Schooner Sultana Downrigging weekend October 29-30. Sultana is joined by many historic tall ships and Chesapeake Buy-Boats. Many interesting art studios are within easy walking distance of the ships. All this makes for a fun family outing.
For more information go to www.artworkschestertown.org or call 410-778-6300.
12th Annual Artist Studio Tour Information:
WHEN: Two Weekends: October 29-30 and November 5-6,
Rain or shine; 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
WHERE: Kent County, Maryland
We suggest beginning at Artworks Studio at 306 Park Row in Historic Downtown Chestertown.
WHAT: Nearly 50 professional artists open their art studios, on this free self-guided tour. Wander Maryland’s Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties’ picturesque back roads and be greeted like an old friend at the studios of successful painters, jewelers, sculptors, metal and wood workers, photographers, potters and more.
Brochure maps may be found at Artworks in Chestertown and at restaurants and shops throughout the county.. These brochures provide a brief description of each artist along with directions to the studio, which can be located on a fold-out map. You may also download the brochure and learn more about the tour by visiting www.artworkschestertown.org. The 12th annual tour allows visitors the opportunity to see a variety of places in the County, receive a warm welcome from artists, and buy pieces at studio prices.
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