SANTA ROSA, Calif. — More than 50 local artists will open their studios to the public this month as Santa Rosa Open Studios returns for its second year. The citywide event takes place over two weekends, Sept. 13–14 and Sept. 20–21, giving visitors a chance to meet artists where they work and see art in progress.
The program is organized by the Santa Rosa Urban Arts Partnership, which launched the event last year in response to demand from the local arts community. Director Spring Maxfield said artists wanted more opportunities to connect directly with the public, beyond the county’s larger regional tours.
“We heard loud and clear that they needed more,” Maxfield said. “Our goal is to make it simple and affordable, so more people can participate.”
Unlike some tours with steep fees and long application processes, Santa Rosa Open Studios keeps the barriers low. A streamlined application and modest entry cost make it easier for first-time exhibitors, hobbyists and part-time creators to join alongside more established artists. Organizers say that mix helps broaden the scope of the tour and gives visitors a wider view of the city’s creative community.
For many participants, last year’s event was a breakthrough. Bug Thompson, who paints in oil and explores themes of grief, death and rebirth, showed work publicly for the first time. He said the event gave him confidence and helped him learn how to talk about his art. This year he returns, sharing space with his aunt, painter Sharon Eisley, who draws on tarot and medieval iconography in her work. The two will welcome visitors to Eisley’s garage studio.
Other artists are scattered throughout Santa Rosa, working in media that range from painting and sculpture to mixed media, textiles, ceramics and jewelry. Visitors are encouraged to take a self-guided tour, using the printed map or online catalog to plan routes. Organizers say it is common for people to spend a full day traveling between neighborhoods, talking with artists and sometimes buying directly from the studio.
Maxfield said the event also helps boost Santa Rosa’s cultural and economic life. Many visitors already come to Sonoma County for wine tasting, food and outdoor recreation. Adding open studios to the mix, she said, gives tourists another way to experience the region — and keeps more dollars in the local creative economy.
“It’s not just about buying art,” Maxfield said. “It’s about seeing the city differently, meeting neighbors, and recognizing the value of the people making work here.”
Santa Rosa Open Studios runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both weekends. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. A full list of participating artists, along with a downloadable map, is available at sropenstudios.com.
