Media Advisory: January 19, 2022
Inquiries: jackie@capeanndesigns.com 978-283-8333 or info@capeannartisans.com
Cape Ann Artisans Announces 2022 Open Studios Schedule
Returning and New artists plus NEW summer and winter dates to cover all four seasons.
The Cape Ann Artisans are pleased to announce the 39th Annual Spring and Fall Open Studios, plus two NEW events that were introduced as trials in recent years. The Spring Tour is June 4-5, the Fall Tour is October 8-9. The summer Mini-Tour event will be held on Saturday, August 13th and the new Winter Holiday ”Pop-In” on Saturday, December 3rd. Now visitors and residents can see the studios in all four seasons!
The Cape Ann Artisans held a “community appreciation” event in December, 2021 and were able to donate $1200 to the Cape Ann Museum’s Art of Lunch program held at the Grace Center. The Artisans wish to thank their patrons and partners for the continued support in keeping up this tradition on Cape Ann. The Cape Ann Artisans Open Studio Tour was the first of its kind in the country. Some of the original founding members are still part of the group.
Each year, artists have the chance to take a sabbatical and while several will be on leave, new artists are juried in. This year’s tour welcomes three new Artisans all based in Gloucester. John Abisamra, photographer, on Carrigan Court; Rebecca Anne Nagle, painter and mixed media artist who is located in the Cripple Cove Studios; and Melody Phaneuf, painter located on Centennial Avenue.
John shares that his “real passion is to capture the beauty of our landscape through the eye of my camera,” emphasizing his New England roots as one key focal point. In her paintings and mixed media, Rebecca “explores layering and transparency within society and nature, searching for the rhythms, lyricism, and repetitions in the visual or metaphysical that produce movement and emotional impact.” Melody Phaneuf is an award-winning artist, well known for her evocative still life, landscape, and portrait paintings. Her love of the sea and outdoor painting led her to Gloucester, where she has recently built her studio and gallery.
The tour is “self-guided” with 15 individual stops to visit with 16 artisans. The full group is listed below along with their medium:
- John Abisamra – Landscape Photography
- David Archibald – Ceramic Arts – Porcelain & Stoneware
- Cynthia Curtis – Ceramic Arts – Stoneware
- Rob Diebboll – Painting – Oil & Watercolors
- Jacqueline Ganim DeFalco – Sea Glass Jewelry & Hair Accessories
- Deb Gonet – Painting – Mixed Media
- Rebecca Anne Nagle – Painting and Mixed Media
- Sinikka Nogelo – Painting & Sculpture – Experimental Arts
- Melody Phaneuf – Painter
- Scott Place and Erin O’Sullivan – Ceramic Arts
- Marcie Rae – Fine Jewelry
- Deb Schradieck – Painting – Oil & Watercolor
- Sallie Strand – Painting – Abstract
- Pam Stratton – Mosaics, Mixed Media & Jewelry
- Sara Wright – Fiber Arts – Handwoven & Knit Accessories
Annually, the Artisans print and distribute over 10,000 brochures which are distributed throughout the region. The Artisans connect with thousands of visitors and act as ambassadors to all things local – especially lodging, restaurants, and services. If you would like to secure a partnership, please contact Pam Stratton directly at this email before Feb 15th : pamstratton63@gmail.com.
The 2022 Brochure will once again include a suggested geographical order for the tour, though visitors are encouraged to view the map online as well to plan their visit to any number of studios. Brochures will available at all the major tourism outlets including the Cape Ann Chamber and North of Boston CVB locations in the Spring. The Artisans will also continue their partnership with Discover Gloucester.
