(SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The annual South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour, presented by ArtSOMA: The Artist Community of South Orange & Maplewood, NJ and Studio Montclair Inc. will be held the first full weekend in November 7-8 from 11:00am - 5:00pm. Artists in South Orange and Maplewood come together every year to open their studios to visitors, friends, and everyone curious about how people in the visual arts make their work.

Artists may be emerging, mid-career or established, and create in all kinds of media— from painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture to fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry, and more. The South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour is a volunteer-run tradition that enables friends of the arts from near and far to take part in a celebration of the extraordinary diversity of culture and aesthetic interests that tie our communities together.

The Tour, now in its 17th year, is supported by the municipalities of South Orange and Maplewood, local business and arts organizations, and artists and arts institutions from SOMA and surrounding townships. First organized in 2003 and now operating as an independent project under the nonprofit aegis of Studio Montclair, the Tour typically features more than 70 artists showing work in their home studios and public venues.

This year's event is our "Covid Edition," meaning artists will participate a little differently: some will display their work outside, some will schedule Zoom tours from their studios, some will welcome masked, socially distanced visitors, and others will have work on display at local businesses. Veteran Tour-goers will also notice that this year instead of a printed map, visitors will be able to download a PDF from the Tour website listing artists’ addresses and additional information about how and where to see their work. 

As always, the Tour is free and open to the public. The Studio Tour gratefully welcomes donations to support its efforts. Visit the Studio Tour website for participating artists, tour details, and important Covid-related information!

Studio Montclair is an inclusive, nationwide non-profit organization of exhibiting, professional, and emerging artists and others interested in the visual arts. The mission of the organization is to promote culture, education, equality, and tolerance through art. Studio Montclair is committed to diversity at every level. Founded in 1997, the organization includes over 500 members.  

IMAGES: (TOP) Jay Pingree, Crowd1, Painting (MIDDLE) Allan Wood, Two Figures on Kelso Dunes, Photograph (BOTTOM) Sumana Ghosh-Witherspoon, Untitled, collage