Somerville Open Studios Turns 15 this Weekend

Now in its 15th year, Somerville Open Studios has become one of largest open studio events in the country, said Rachel Mello, coordinator of the event. It's main rival, in terms of size, is an event run by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, she said.

This year, almost 425 artists and 110 studio sites will be participating. The event grows a little bit every year, Mello said.

SOS, as it's known, is completely free. It encourages the public to visit art studios across Somerville, a city with a large and vibrant arts community.

It takes place Saturday and Sunday, and some studios will host previews Friday night.

As always, free trolleys will run throughout the city, letting studio-goers traverse Somerville and enjoy their time without the need to drive and fight for parking.

This year, Boston Pedicab will also be giving rides. Visitors can flag down a pedicab with their SOS map—available at studios and trolley stops—to get a ride to different studios. 

Visiting Somerville Open Studios

The best way to plan your Somerville Open Studios tour is to visit the event's website, which has comprehensive information.

Mello recommended a few plans of attack.

One option is to visit the Somerville Museum first. It's hosting the Artists' Choice exhibit, and all participating artists were invited to submit a piece of work to the exhibit, making it a great way to discover different artists and encounter the breadth of work available.

This year, the Redbones food truck will be stationed at Somerville Museum, so it's also a great place to grab some lunch.

"If you're from Somerville, the best place to start is your immediate neighborhood," Mello said. "Most people in Somerville live within a block of a working artist."

It's also a great way to encounter new artists who might not work in one of the larger studio spaces.

Mello encouraged visitors from out of town to park, for free, in one of four municipal lots open for the event. The free trolleys will make regular stops at these parking lots.

It's also worth noting that resident-only parking restrictions will be lifted during open studio hours, which are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If you've never been—and this is personal opinion you're about to read—a good place to start is the Somerville Museum, followed by a short walk to Vernon Street Studios, which has tons of artists in a creaky old factory space.

Find someplace "you've never seen before"

If you have been before, Mello suggests you "find someplace new that you've never seen before."

"I want to see people trying new artists," she added. She said every year there's about a 15 percent turnover rate in artists, so every year there's something fresh to see.

Mello emphasized, "The entire event is free, and I think that's worth remembering."