Taking the Tour

• Studios are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Buy a Tour Guide (see below): good for 2 adults (children through high school are free) for all 4 days.
• Read the blog and watch the video to learn more about individual artists.
• Find the artists you want to visit; follow the map and directions.
• Drive your car, ride your bike, catch a bus, or walk to as many studios as you can. And for 2009, we're again teaming with EcoShuttle!
• Follow the yellow and black arrow signs.
• Use the 16-month calendar and artists’ contact info through 2010.

Changes to the Tour

Occasionally, an artist moves or drops out, or a mistake is made in the printed Tour Guide, please check the latest tour changes and updates here.

EcoShuttle

Once again this year, Portland Open Studios is partnering with EcoShuttle for a more environmentally friendly way to visit studios; please sign up through EcoShuttle.

Open One or Both Weekends?

Many artists, both on the east and west sides, will be open both weekends. Please check the Tour Guide for specific artists' studios.

Look for the following icons in the Tour Guide and on the map:

East side studios that are open on the first weekend only.

East side studios that are open both weekends.

West side studios that are open both weekends.

West side studios that are open on the second weekend only.

Purchasing Art

You can purchase artwork directly from the artists you visit. Most artists accept cash and personal checks, and some artists also accept credit cards. Portland Open Studios does not charge artists commissions; 100% of the sales price goes to the participating artists.

About the Tour Guides

Tour Guides are available starting in August. The $15 Tour Guide includes:

• 2 tickets good for all 4 days (children through high school are free)
• A map to the studios
• Pictures of artworks by all artists
• Contact information for all artists
• A 2010 calendar

2009 Tour Guide cover

Where to buy Tour Guides

Starting August, you can purchase Tour Guides through these venues:

• Here's a complete list of retail locations that carry Portland Open Studios Tour Guides.
• The Tour Guides are available at Local 14, an annual art show.
• You can also buy Tour Guides directly from participating artists, or mail-order the Tour Guide using the Tour Guide Purchase Form here.
• Take the tour through EcoShuttle and get a Tour Guide as part of the package.

Be a Sponsor — Buy 10 Tour Guides for $100

Please see the Sponsors page for information.

School Groups

School groups are welcome, but some artists' workspaces can not accommodate the large number of visitors. Please call ahead to be sure that your visit can be accommodated.

Wheelchair Accessibility

For a complete list of wheelchair-accessible studios, please see the Artists page.

Visitor Basics

Maggie Casey, a 2008 Scholarship recipient, working with delicate sewing threads and silk organza

Visiting an artist's studio is a unique opportunity to view a highly personal workspace. But be aware it may contain hazardous materials and specialized tools, so please be careful and always ask before touching something or taking photographs. Children should be supervised at all times. Please be advised that many studios do not provide public restrooms.