Back by popular demand is the Jamaica Plain Open Studios Bike Tour! This year’s JPOS bicycle tour, themed “Work in Motion” will focus on giving visitors a more hands on view of artists and their work. Tour participants will get the opportunity to visit seven artist studios and ten artists and will have the opportunity to watch and participate in demonstrations, speak with the artists themselves, as well as explore the neighborhood history of Jamaica Plain.
Coordinator Susan Duprey notes that “it is the chance to visit individual artists in their private studios that gives JPOS a unique energy” she adds, “Talking with an artist about a piece, understanding the process or the story behind the finished product is really inspiring” and bike tour(ists) will get this unique opportunity.
Tour participants will get an personal look into the creative process of several JP artists. One stop along the route will be at the studio of sculptures, Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Both Donna and Andy have been participating in JPOS for many years and according to Dodson, “JPOS is like going behind the scenes and it’s really fun!” She adds “When you put artwork outside – you meet the neighbors!” or in this case – the bikers!
For Joan Schwartz, multi-media artist and the third stop on the bike tour, “it is the opportunity to involve people in the work” that really inspires her. “I’ve always been interested in art that interacts with people in some way” says Schwartz and this year she she hopes all who stop by will be inclined to add to her “Quilt of Gratitude”.
The bicycle tour runs Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm and both days will begin with a free brunch to get the bicycle tour(ists) ready for the tour, sponsored by the Jamaica Plain Arts Council. Local Bikes Not Bombs youth bike-tour leaders will also be on hand to inspect bicycles and give any last-minute tune-ups. Participants will be guided thru the JP neighborhoods on a leisurely afternoon of biking and studio visits.
The only thing you need is a bicycle, helmet, and curiosity! Preview the tour map online and take your own self-guided tour at http://goo.gl/9He8wT There is also an iPhone app available for download on the JPOS website. We hope you will join us! But if you can’t make the guided tour, you can do a self-guided tour by simply following the cycling icons on the JPOS artist map.
Free maps will be distributed at local JP businesses and are available at information booths during the event at the Brewery (284 Amory St.) and JP Licks (659 Center St.). Maps are also available for download from www.jpopenstudios.com. All Open Studios sites are MBTA accessible on the Orange Line at the Jackson Square, Stony Brook, Green Street and Forest Hills stations as well as several bus routes. More information is available by calling 617-855-5767 (JPOS).
Jamaica Plain Open Studios, the premiere annual arts event in one of Boston’s most eclectic neighborhoods, is returning in 2014 for its 21st year. This free event showcases the artwork 200+ artists at 45 sites and runs from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. over the weekend of September 20 - 21, 2014. Visitors can experience locally created art, clothing, jewelry, and home accessories, and can buy directly from the artists.