Meet the artists: Open Studios Napa Valley 2023 coming up the next two weekends
By Rosemarie Kempton
NAPA, Calif. — Jessel Gallery’s spacious parking lot was packed on Friday as drivers circled around searching for a free spot. Inside the gallery, there was an atmosphere of joy as some 200 people met with hugs and cheerful greetings.
Artists and art lovers were there for the preview show for Open Studios Napa Valley, coming up on the last two weekends of September. Now in its 35th year, this free, self-guided tour where artists open their studios to the public is sponsored by Art Association Napa Valley. This year, 70 juried artists will be showing their work in 43 locations on Sept. 16-17 and 23-24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Each year, in addition, Jessel Miller, owner of the Jessel Gallery, hosts a month-long show featuring works by the Open Studios artists.
“Having one piece of art from each artist in one location gives art lovers a chance to make an informed decision about which studios they will visit during the two Open Studio weekends,” Miller said. “It also gives the artists an opportunity to see each other’s work.”
Among the guests at the Jessel Gallery Friday night preview celebration was Michael Fitzpatrick, whose eye-catching oil painting, “An Artist’s Eye,” has appeared on posters throughout the valley, heralding the Open Studios tour.
Fitzpatrick’s painting, of a woman in dark green against a red background, covering one eye with a brush filled with green paint, is also on the cover for the Open Studios Napa Valley 2023 Artists Directory & Map.
For Open Studios, Fitzpatrick will be at his studio in Napa, where he paints every day. Years of hard work and dedication to art are paying off for this highly talented yet self-deprecating artist, who left a lucrative career in commercial art to dedicate himself to painting.
“Art is my life,” Fitzpatrick said. “Art is what I’ve done for 50 years.”
In addition to his work for Open Studios, his painting “Golden Days” has been chosen as the poster for the upcoming Napa Valley Mustard Celebration that will be held throughout Napa Valley from American Canyon to Calistoga this winter, January through March.
One of his cityscape paintings depicting Crissy Field will also be in the prestigious de Young Museum in San Francisco as part the “de Young Open 2023.” This exhibit will run from Sept. 30 to Jan. 7. The de Young received 7,000 entries from artists for this exhibit and accepted 887.
“Artists love to share their art with their friends and fans,” said Open Studios director Frank Trozzo. “They appreciate your feedback and support.”
At the studios, visitors can discover multiple mediums and experience the studio atmosphere. They can investigate hidden parts of the valley, hear stories directly from artists, ask the artists questions and have the opportunity to purchase artwork straight from the source.
Live art demonstrations will take place in some of the studios with a wide range of media including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry design, printmaking, wood and mixed media.
“There are many benefits to visiting the artists of Open Studios and experiencing the sheer artistic talent of our local artists firsthand,” Trozzo said. “You’ll find stories behind every artwork that can broaden your perspective and refine your aesthetic values.”
“You might learn something you never knew before. It could unleash your own creativity and open you up to new ideas,” he continued. “Most of all, it’s a fun way to spend the day.”
This year, visitors will discover even more opportunities to come across unknown art and places than in the past because 18 artists are opening their studios for the first time.
Though the majority of Open Studios will be in Napa, art lovers are sure to find previously unknown art gems in studios as they drive northward. Oil painter Paul Youngman and Andrea Cazares, a painter and sculptor, will have their separate studios open in Yountville. Akemi Adams’ ceramic-filled studio will be open in St. Helena.
David Gates and Therese Legere will have their separate studios open in Calistoga.
Art Association Napa Valley is a nonprofit organization that donates a large portion of member dues and a percentage of art sold to a scholarship fund for students pursuing artistic careers.
Some of the artists will be making considerable donations this year from their Open Studio sales. For example, Lana De Cassanth is doing a “Tribute to Hawaii” with all proceeds from her Open Studios sales going to the victims of the Maui fires.
The Open Studios Napa Valley 2023 artist directory is invaluable for touring the studios. It contains maps with studio locations and indicates which artists are giving demonstrations as well as if a studio is handicapped accessible, and if they are open both weekends.
These handy art tour guides can be obtained at Cartons and Crates, Jessel Gallery, Color Theory, Mechanics Bank and Art Gallery Napa Valley. They can also be downloaded from the Art Association Napa Valley website at www.artnv.org
Rosemarie Kempton is a local journalist.
I'd wager that Napa Valley has more remarkable artists per capita than any similar-size region anywhere!
Every September I aim to visit all the open studios because I’m in awe of the artistic talent we have in Napa Valley. Although I’ve never made it to every single studio in one year, I haven’t given up trying. Maybe this is the year! Enjoy touring the open studios!