​Inaugural Weekend Tour To Celebrate The Arts In Bucks County

NEWTOWN, PA — The public is invited to immerse themselves in the creative pulse of Bucks County during the inaugural Bucks Art Districts Tour — a spring celebration of the region’s vibrant and diverse artistic talent - from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 25, 26 and 27.

The self-guided tour, spanning the entire weekend, invites art lovers, families, and curious minds to explore the rolling hills and hidden gems of the Bucks County art scene.

Conceived by Ashara Shapiro, founder of ArtWRKD in Newtown, the tour has long been a dream realized through the unification of creatives and community. From her contemporary exhibition space in Historic Newtown, Ashara envisioned a way to connect the broader region to the artists shaping the cultural dialogue.

"This is a way to bring art into the community," said Shapiro. "I thought this would be a great way to allow patrons in the community to understand what it's like to live a creative life. So we're inviting them into spaces where the artists and their works are accessible. By going into their spaces you're understanding their whole world. You can see older work. You can see newer work. And it gives you an understanding of what they are talking about in their work."

According to Shapiro, the works of more than 40 artists can be seen at 30 different stops on the tour, including art galleries and private studios.

Some of the stops include ArtWRKD at 126 South State Street in Newtown, New Hope Arts on Stockton Avenue, the Hicks Gallery at the Bucks County Community College, the AOY Arts Center on the Patterson Farm in Yardley, Countryside Gallery and Custom Frame Design in Newtown, and the studios of Kirby Fredendall, Dan and Jill Burstein, Ogden Kruger, among others.

Other participants include the Arts and Cultural Council of Bucks County.

To view all the locations, click here. Tickets for the tour are $25 each and can be purchased at any gallery location.

"The tickets are good all weekend," said Shapiro. "You can go part of Friday, part of Sunday. You can go back to see something more than once. Once you have a ticket, you have access for the whole weekend to all the stops and all the special events with the exception of SPEAKeasy."

Some of the special events taking place throughout the weekend include:

• Glass blowing demonstrations at New Hope Glass, 3420 North Sugan Road.
• Pottery making with Paula Focazio.
• Children’s art activities at the ArtWRKD Workshop Space.
• Artist Dialogues at ArtWRKD on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. featuring Kirby Fredendall and ArtWRKD Represented Artist.
• SPEAKeasy, an intimate evening at ArtWRKD celebrating the art of storytelling through prose, song, and local lore on Friday, April 25. Doors open at 6:30 with the show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event features the folk-retro-pop-country fusion band, Dirty Dollhouse, led by Newtown’s own Chelsea Mitchell, performing selections from her newest album “The End.” The event also features local storyteller Meg Groff and Poet Tristan Buttigieg. SPEAKeasy is supported by Stage United, championing the art of compelling storytelling. Tickets are available at ArtWRKD.com

"Join us for this unforgettable weekend and experience the talent, passion, and creativity that define Bucks County’s thriving art scene," said Shapiro. "Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply looking for an inspiring adventure, the Bucks Art Districts Tour will inspire."

Click here for complete Bucks Art District Tour information.