Picassos Among Us
Celebrating its 15th year, the Tahoe ARTour is an opportunity to ‘expose yourself to art,’ and meet artists across the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee region. The exposure may just change the way you see your world.
‘The first time I went on ARTour, I expected to see lots of pretty landscape paintings,’ says Truckee resident Cadie Olsen. ‘Instead, I was surprised to find that my whole perception of where I live was opened up. The way the artists used many different media and techniques to convey their insights on the region enhanced and augmented my own observations.’
This free self-guided studio tour is sponsored and organized by North Tahoe Arts, a nonprofit organization based in Tahoe City, which serves as a hub for the artistic community.
Due to its popularity, the dates for the ARTour have been expanded this year from one weekend to two weekends: July 11 to 13, and 18 to 20, and the studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. each day.
This month, Moonshine interviews our very own ‘Picasso’s Among Us’ columnist, Carole Sesko, a Truckee-based contemporary artist, to hear her thoughts about the ARTour, what it’s like to participate in it, and how it benefits the region. Here’s the scoop:
Moonshine Ink: How long have you been involved with the ARTour and why did you decide to be on it?
Carole Sesko: This July will mark my 14th year of opening my studio to the public. In 1994, the first year that ARTour was held, I was working full time for a design firm, and I didn’t have the free time necessary to prepare for it. I decided to go on it as a visitor to see what it would be like. In one day, I visited the studios of 10 different artists, and the wide variety of artwork impressed me. Each one of the studios was fascinating because each artist designs their own space depending on their needs. Going on the first ARTour motivated me to get ready and be on it the next year.
MI: What was your first experience like being on the ARTour?
CS: It felt like a bold risk. At that time, I was making art in the same space where I lived: a quaint apartment in downtown Truckee. My studio doubled as my kitchen, and space was very tight. As a result I became super organized, and that was a quality people remarked about when they visited my studio. I had a total of about 200 visitors, and my sales were pretty good. That encouraged me to sign up again the next year.
MI: How does an artist benefit from being on the ARTour?
CS: There are many benefits, not simply monetary ones. It’s great experience for an artist is to present to an audience that is truly interested in their artwork. I think it’s important for an artist to hear feedback about their work, if he or she wants to expand and grow.
Also, each artist on the ARTour must contribute to the event by taking on an organizational task. This work exposes artists to aspects of the business side of art that might not come as easily as simply making art. By working alongside other artists, you can make friendships and expand your contacts.
MI: What highlights do you remember from your 14 years on ARTour?
CS: Hmm…. it’s all been progressively good. One particularly significant highlight was I found my house because of a client I met through ARTour 2000! I bought the house, renovated it, and did ARTour(s) 2001-05 in my new home and studio. Other highlights have been meeting many visitors from far away and making connections with them. I’ve had the great pleasure of selling artworks to people from all over the United States through ARTour. This has helped me to realize my art has broader appeal, and has encouraged me to continually expand my art career. Now I work full time as an artist, and I have a larger studio in a separate location from my home.
MI: How does the ARTour benefit the Tahoe Truckee community?
CS: The most obvious way is it increases the vitality of our economy. The artists benefit from selling their artwork, and in turn they spend more with our local businesses. Hotels and restaurants benefit from the influx of ‘ARTourists,’ which in turn elevates our tax income. Visitors from out of the area come to Tahoe and Truckee curious about what kind of art and culture is available in this area, and they find the ARTour to be a fun way to familiarize themselves with our towns and neighborhoods. Maybe that helps inspire them to buy a home here? Locals have an opportunity to meet the artists, establish friendships, learn about artistic techniques, and watch an artist evolve. Whether a person is shopping or looking, the ARTour is always educational, and it contributes to understanding creativity. Everyone benefits.
MI: What words of advice do you have for ARTourists?
CS: The ARTour is a relaxing way to spend a weekend. Prepare in advance by looking over the brochure and planning your route. Keep your day flexible, pace yourself, and give yourself ample time to explore the studios. Plan for a lunch stop. Some people like to tour alone, but I think it’s easier to bring a navigator along. For a really fun day, put the top down on your convertible, invite a bunch of friends and talk about what you’ve seen and where you’ve been. Write on your brochure and make notes of what you like, so you can recall things clearly later.
MI: What do you think about the event being extended to two weekends?!
CS: Part of the rationale behind adding the second weekend has to do with giving more people an opportunity to attend and re-visit, whether they be visitors new to the area or locals with busy schedules. ARTour is an enjoyable experience for everyone, and it’s a great way to celebrate summer. Double the weekends, double the fun!
~ Picasso’s Among Us columnist Carole Sesko can be reached at 530 587 7750 or visit her website at carolesesko.com
