Artist Open Studios - Half Moon Bay/Coastside May 5, 2012

Sat-Sun, May 5-6, 10 am to 5 pm

Colony of Coastside Artists is a group of more than 100 artists from Montara to Half Moon Bay. We specialize in making fine art, mixed media, photography, textiles, jewelry and sculpture. Open Studios in May and November invite the public to see demos and get inside our studios where we make our work.

This Spring, Open Studios will feature more than 35 artists and more than 15 art demonstrations. This is an excellent opportunity to get up close to see how weavings are created, jewelry is strung and fashioned, or prints on paper are made.

Glassblowing demonstrations by Doug Brown from Coloquin Glassworks at La Nebbia Winery are at the top of the Open Studios route if you enter the Coastside from Highway 92. From Montara, you can start with a visit to see fine art photography and Aileen glass plates, and hand made unique jewelry by Linda Theroff. There's fine art photography by Carl Mehler at his studio in Frenchman's Creek, wall murals by Ellen Silva in El Granada and photography by Nancy West in Miramar from her world travels.

Either direction you come, make your way into central Half Moon Bay for lunch at any one of many fine restaurants or bakeries and more artists, including textiles by Patt Sheldon, paper and book arts by Nancy Struck and a printmaking demo at the Poplar Street studio of Laura McHugh. You won't want to miss the watercolors and fantasy sculptures by Chris Ridgway further east on Poplar Street and Chris' home and yard are worth the visit.

Consider making a weekend of it so you have plenty of time to see everything. There are many fine bed and breakfasts and hotels in the area. Contact the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce for where to stay.