Hippo. Jan Helm, artist
Artists across Leicester will welcome visitors into their creative spaces during the 21st Annual Come to Leicester Studio Tour on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. The free, self-guided event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and features 24 local and visiting artists working in disciplines ranging from pottery and stained glass to jewelry, fiber, painting, wood, ironwork and mixed media.
The annual tour gives visitors the opportunity to explore studios tucked throughout Leicester’s mountain landscape, meet the artists behind the work and gain a behind-the-scenes look at how pieces are created. Printed maps and brochures guide attendees between stops, with hub locations featuring multiple artists at Leicester Community Center, Sandy Mush Community Center and Addison Farms Vineyard. The Leicester Library will also display a sample piece from each participating artist during the tour.
Nirado Sloan, artist
Doc Welty, who moved to Leicester in 2004, is one of the tour’s founders. His studio, with a dramatic exterior clad in handmade terracotta tile, is a stop on the tour. Among this year’s other participants is art jeweler and metalsmith Nirado Sloan, whose work combines handcrafted metal jewelry with gemstones and painted acrylic elements. She will host guest artist Tani Reeves this year at her studio on Cabin Cove Road.
“My work is constantly evolving as I strive to push the boundaries by creating unique statement jewelry of metal, gemstones and acrylic paintings to be worn and experienced,” says Sloan. “Currently, I am exploring a technique that took months to perfect: painting abstract acrylics and mounting them directly onto the handmade jewelry. I am also integrating healing gemstones into some of these pieces, a long held love of mine that adds a deeper, personal intention to each piece.”
Sloan has participated in the tour for 17 years and serves as sponsor coordinator. For the first time in the tour’s history, organizers relied on a collaborative team effort to organize the event.
“We all jumped in with both feet, working harder than ever to produce the event,” says Sloan. “The result was a sense of camaraderie and mutual support that felt truly great.”
Visitors can also make a day of the experience by stopping at local food vendors identified on the tour map. Addison Farms Vineyard will feature special food events and live music both days, while Sunday also encourages guests to enjoy a picnic at scenic locations throughout Leicester before continuing their studio visits.
“Putting on a tour of this magnitude is no easy task, but as visitors move from studio to studio I believe they will feel the love and dedication behind the art,” Sloan says.
Learn more and download a map at CometoLeicester.org.
