Lauren SlivaThe Philadelphia Open Studio Tour is a way for struggling artists to get their masterpieces out in public.
On Oct. 3 and 4, all art studios east of Broad Street were open for show. On Oct. 10 and 11, all studios west of Broad Street were open for show. The tour, called POST, led followers to various places in Philadelphia, such as Manayunk, Germantown, north Philadelphia, central Philadelphia and more.
“POST is for artists who are interested in selling. It is a great way for artists to get people interested in their artwork and follow their career,” Mary Ann McDvitt, the president of the Philadelphia Guild of Hand Weavers, said.
The guild makes baskets, scarves, table runners and various other types of textiles all from hand. The Philadelphia Guild of Hand Weavers were asked to join POST and saw the opportunity as a great way for people to become more interested in the textiles.
“We saw POST as a two-fold positive. It brings the weekend traffic of Main Street down the hill to us and also once people come, it makes them more interested in the possibility of taking classes here,” McDevitt said.
On the first day of the studio tour, about 15 people visited the Hand Weavers’ Guild. Overall, this year was more successful in the studio tour.
POST began in 1999, with only 13 artists participating. In 2000 the first actual tour took place, when visitors could map the possible routes they wanted to visit.
POST hosts over 100 artists. During the week it is $75 per guided tour. On the weekends it is free, but visitors make their own route to follow.
“POST has hit home a little more to people in the past two years because it cuts down the cost of original art since the gallery, which is the middle man, has been demolished,” McDevitt said.
When customers are not buying the art pieces, artists find other ways to make money. This causes the craft to not be practiced and it falls out of the ‘norm.’
“In this economy, people are always looking for the cheaper options. People do not want to buy handmade scarves when they can buy a product looking similar from K-Mart made in China. The main difference is the threads and the count of the purchase. The items that we weave last much longer,” McDevitt said.
POST provides a creative outlet for artists to be able to show their artwork. Not only do the artists show their pieces, but they get their name out to the public. It is an effort being pushed largely by the community. POST reaches out to the artists in the greater Philadelphia area. The Philadelphia Guild of Hand Weavers happened to be one of the many to have this opportunity.
“It takes a certain type of inspiration to be a part of this tour. It is not always immediately rewarding so artists must choose a trade that truly inspires them. Without that inspiration it would be hard to reach out to the community,” McDevitt said.
