PRESS RELEASE: Eighteen Riverside Artists Open Studios to Public Rock in the River basin in Southern Vermont

Rock River Artists will hold their 19th annual weekend-long art tour, July 16-17

Summertime in Vermont encourages residents and visitors alike to tour the countryside and adventure down picturesque dirt roads to new and unknown destinations. Where some local commuters may find this a mild annoyance, rural artisans greet the opportunity to meet new faces, share stories, and demonstrate their talents. In mid-July, back road wanderers and art enthusiasts will unite for a chance to tour the studios, galleries, and workshops of professional artists along the Rock River.

During this annual event, the Rock River Artists open their creative spaces to passersby and collectors in search of high quality art from a range of disciplines. Unlike stuffy city galleries where patrons are guided from room to room along a fence of velvet ropes, this self-guided tour through historic villages provides a unique level of accessibility to both the art and artists themselves. This year, the Open Studio Tour welcomes two new artists.

Georgie Runkle is a plein air painter, whose mosaic arrangements of complex colors and shapes create a visual expression of an inner landscape. “My art becomes what I see in nature,” says Runkle. “As you drive through southern Vermont you may see me painting along the roadside, in a field, or beside a barn...anywhere that the setting has attracted my aesthetic sensibility.”

Paul Bowen, another newcomer to the Rock River Tour, has always been interested in material with a history. Drawing on the imagery of ships’ flags, tar, canvas, rope and other marine detritus he creates drawings and prints using his own inks made from squid, Xerox toner, and walnuts. Bowen also constructs small and large-scale sculptures, for which he employs limited means such as stacking, or simple carpentry to convey motion to the viewer.

Among the tour’s veteran artists, is Christine Triebert, a three-time recipient of a Golden Light Award for photographic excellence. Her still life and landscape photographs have been licensed by major publishers in the US and Europe. Currently, when she’s not leading photography workshops at her Rock River studio, Triebert works in a unique cameraless process, exposing organic objects directly onto paper negatives in the darkroom.

For more information about the Rock River Artists including directions, maps, and nearby food and accommodations, visit www.rockriverartists.com.

19th Annual Open Studio Tour Information:

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, 2011. 10:00AM - 6:00PM
WHERE: Homes, Studios, Workshops in South Newfane and Williamsville, Vermont WHAT: Eighteen professional artists open their homes, gardens and studios during this enchanting self-guided tour. Wander Southern Vermont’s picturesque back roads and be greeted like an old friend at the homes of successful painters, print makers, sculptors, metal and wood workers, potters and more. Start at the historic Old Schoolhouse in South Newfane to view artists' work and pick up a map. Gourmet delights are available mid-tour in Newfane and Williamsville. Free and open to the public.

ABOUT ROCK RIVER ARTISTS:
A collaborative of 18 professional artists residing along the Rock River basin in Southern Vermont. Their creative talents include a variety of disciplines and mediums. Several of the artists’ work has received national acclaim and been hosted in galleries and museums throughout the country. Once a year, the Rock River Artists open their studios for a weekend-long tour, inviting visitors into their homes and creative spaces to view and purchase artwork, and interact directly with the artists. More information at www.rockriverartists.com.

Images, top-bottom: Rock River Artist, Leonard Ragouzeos, paints with India ink on synthetic paper, and offers demos throughout the weekend-long tour. Deidre Scherer shows visitors how she puts a fabric-and-thread still life together. At Richard Foye Fireworks Richard Foye demonstrates his pyrotechnic raku firing process throughout the tour weekend. Roger Sandes and Mary Welsh fill their home with their own cheerful, brightly colored art.