May 2 & 3, 10 am - 5 pm both days
This May, 50 artists will be showing their work in a variety of studios and at Iorn Horse Furnishings in the historic Arsenal area. This festive art-filled weekend will feature painting, ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, photography, installations and more!
All the locations are walking distance to one another in buildings that are part of a U.S. Army Arsenal complex, founded in the 1850s. Visitors can park their car one time and find dozens of studios as they wander through the historic buildings.
Addtionally, at Arts Benicia on Commandant's Lane, 66 artists will be featured in the "Making Your Mark" exhibition.
Today, the Arsenal, overlooking the scenic Carquinez Strait, is still filled with 1850s buildings including the ornate headquarters building, the elegant commanding officers mansion, other residential quarters and more. And most importantly, some of these buildings are full of artists' studios.
Benicia, one of the earliest cities in California, has long been known as an artist community. The Arsenal especially has been attracting artists for decades because of large, affordable studio spaces as well as proximity to art colleges and universities and major exhibition galleries stretching from San Francisco to Sacramento. Over the years, internationally known artists such as Robert Arneson, Manuel Neri, and Judy Chicago established studios in Benicia.
Benicia's Open Studios were launched in the 1970s, first organized by the city's well-known glass artists. The event is now organized by the Benicia Arsenal Artists, a collective of emerging and established artists, who work in the historic space.
Studios and art can be found throughout the Arsenal, along Tyler Street in the 938/940/942 Building, the 991 Building, Lincoln and at 1 Commandant's Lane. Guest artists are also showing at IronHorse Home Furnishings on Grant Street. Maps are available at all locations.
No Charge.
Presented by Benicia Arsenal Artists.