Fort Collins is gearing up for an immersive journey into the world of local artistry with the annual Artist Studio Tour and Sale, where the culturally curious can explore over 60 studios across the city. The event, presented by the City of Fort Collins’ Cultural Services Department, is set to open its doors for a weekend of artistic discovery on October 26 and 27, giving attendees the chance to meet the creators, witness the artistic process in action, and maybe even take home a piece of local flavor.
Art enthusiasts have the opportunity to delve into diverse art forms, ranging from ceramics and jewelry to sculpture and textile works, the tour represents the breadth and depth of Fort Collins' creative landscape, and it's a chance to purchase original artwork directly from the artists who made them. The self-guided tour operates from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, allowing for a leisurely and personal engagement with the city’s artistic community.
Before the studio visits commence, art lovers can whet their appetites with a Studio Tour Preview Exhibit hosted by the Center for Creativity Art Gallery. Starting October 16, this exhibit showcases a selection featuring one piece from each participating studio, providing a tantalizing taste of the creative feast that awaits on the tour itself. According to the City of Fort Collins, an opening reception kicks off at 6:30 pm on October 19, inaugurating the display that stays open to the public on select dates leading up to the main event.
Integral to the exhibit and the tour’s ethos, Xinran Yuan, known for her role at CSU's Department of Art and Art History as Director of Exhibitions and Community Engagement, brings her expertise as the awards juror, her work focuses on connecting art, science, and emerging technologies, fostering dialogues on planet-scale biodiversity. Maps are available at the gallery to guide your studio journey, offering a structured way to navigate the tour’s offerings, which is poised to transform the city into a labyrinth of artistic discovery for two vibrant days in late October.
