Windsor artists highlighted at Open Studio weekend

Vermont Crafts Council Spring Open Studio offers the Chester Art Loop in Southern Windsor County again this Memorial Day Weekend. Working together to present its varied and talented group of painters and artisans, the 20-mile gang create a beacon to visit Chester and its surrounding towns of Andover, Weston and Ludlow.

The studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday  May 24 and Sunday May 25. Download the map at the end of the story or follow the yellow wayfarer signs. Click the photos below to launch the gallery.

Tsuga Studio art glass

Artists work in many mediums, from glass to wood

Tsuga Studios, #19, on Goldthwaite Road off Route 11 West, is a great starting place. Nick Kekic is a remarkable blown glass artist who offers demonstrations and a showroom full of beautiful decorative and functional blown glass.

Martha Nichols paintings.

Martha Nichols, #30, will be showing large and small oil landscape paintings of Vermont regional scenes at her Howard Hill Road Art Studio.   The paintings are richly colored, semi-abstract representations of scenes close to her home and studio in Andover.

Diane Bell

At Diane G. Bell Watercolor Gallery, #29, on Maple Hill Road in Weston, this watercolorist offers area landscapes, both matted and framed, as well as original note cards taken from her paintings.

Robert Sydorowich

Another must visit is Vermont impressionist Robert Sydorowich, #28, on East Hill Road with many new paintings in transparent watercolors and oils displayed in a restored nineteenth century barn. Sydorowich, like Kekic, is a longtime Open Studio member with a large following.

Rich Detrano wood turning.

Just over the line toward Ludlow from Sydorowich’s place, Rich DeTrano, #27, will be demonstrating and offering his unique woodturnings and hollow vessels highlighting the natural features of wood, including its imperfections and peculiarities, creating a form that allows nature¹s beauty to be seen and enjoyed.

Little Cricket Photography.

Janie Marie Dumas, owner of Little Cricket Photography, #25, is located at 22 Smith St. in Ludlow, and here she features her fine art photography. Her offerings are bold, dramatic, and varied photographs.

Bonnie’s Bundles Dolls.

Go south on Route 103 to Bonnie’s Bundles Dolls, #20, in Chester’s historic Stone Village and catch the magical faces, layered calico outfits and fancy hairdos at the stone house gallery of doll maker Bonnie Watters.

Jessie Alon jewelry.

Just down the street you can visit DaVallia Art and Accents, #21, at its new North Street studio.  Jessie Alon’s Fiddlehead Jewelry is made here, complimenting husband Michael’s furniture, home décor and garden accents.

Conrad Delia Windsor chairs.

Next continue toward Grafton on Route 35 to meet Conrad Delia, #22,who specializes in 18th century reproduction American Windsor chairs and tables, all handcrafted of wood harvested from his property. His tools and techniques are those used in the 18th century and finished with non-toxic milk paint.

Atelier Annex.

Practically next door on Popple Dungeon Road you can visit Atelier Annex, #23, featuring work in fabric and paper decorative art of Katherine Henry and the pottery, poetry and woodworking pieces of Harry Hudson, all in a magnificent presentation.
Go online to download the Chester group map showing all 10 artists’ locations: http://www.bonniesbundlesdolls.com/pdfs/open%20studio%20spring2014.pdf