Make a Date for Art is our theme for the 2020 Open Studios Art Tour (OSAT).  We do not want to bypass this annual tradition, and according to our artist survey, you do not want to either. Both artists and the public look forward to this community favorite every year. With COVID-19 still active, we have adapted the Tour to accommodate required safety measures.

We are building a website that will enable you to have an individual page featuring your artwork and studio. This is considered the virtual tour. All artists will be on this virtual tour, which will be heavily promoted and publicized. In addition, you have the option to invite visitors for a traditional studio visit by appointment, should you feel comfortable and able to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Registering for OSAT this year allows you to build your own customizable web page on the OSAT website for one year. Instead of having the traditional Tour for only two weekends, as we have in previous years, we will promote studio visits by appointment all year long.  Invite the public to “Make a Date” by purchasing a tour guide or paying online.  This will also give artists the chance to visit one another.

It will be important to practice social distancing and to use masks and hand sanitizer for both visitors and the artists while on the Tour.  All recommended protocols will be listed in the tour guide and artists may make any special requests when scheduling appointments with visitors.

Registering for OSAT by the July 24 deadline will assure your listing in the tour guide, allow you to exhibit one artwork in the gallery, and have an individual web page on the Chico Art Center website.

The key to the popularity of Open Studios is THE ARTISTS.  People enjoy seeing art but also learning something about the people who make the art. The Open Studios Art Tour provides a unique opportunity to promote yourself to a new audience and to provide those patrons you have already cultivated with the opportunity to see and buy your new work.

By letting artists be in control of who visits their studios and when, we think it can be done safely. We will forego the kick-off reception this year as large gatherings are still not advisable.  All registration will be done online. Assistance will be provided to those who are not able to complete an online  form.  If needed, call the Chico Art Center at (530) 895-8726 or email ckelly@chicoartcenter.com .