The 21st RiverArts Studio Tour, 2021

Saturdays and Sundays, October 16 & 17 and October 23 & 24.

Following the tradition of two decades and counting, artists in and around Kent County will open their studios to visitors on two weekends in October, to share their work, their processes, and the spaces where they create. Explore the countryside in the beautiful peak of the Eastern Shore autumn and walk Chestertown's charming downtown on self-guided tours. Visit the studios, see the work, and connect with the artists who contribute to the beautiful and rich arts tapestry of the region.

Ready to go? Click the link below to see this year's Studio Tour artists. Scroll the list and click on the images to visit each artist's page. You'll find studio details, artists' statements, images of selected works, and maps. Plan your route and get ready for the fun!

Start at the RiverArts Gallery to whet your appetite for the work of our Studio Tour artists, showcased in our October exhibition. Pick up a brochure listing Studio Tour artists, and chart your course around the region to visit the artists' studios and spaces.

Find the gallery at 315 High Street in Chestertown (walk past the Dunkin Donuts in the breezeway to find the gallery on the right).

Regular gallery hours are:

• Thursdays and Fridays 11am - 3pm
• Saturdays 10am - 3pm
• Sundays 11am - 2pm

Studio Tour weekend hours are Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm 

New in 2021:

The studio at Heron Point is closed to visitors this year, so RiverArts is delighted to host a special gallery exhibition by members of the Heron Point Artist Studio Group. These skilled and admired artists have contributed stunning works you won't want to miss:

Gillian Ames • Linda Atcheson • Jack Fancher • Barbara Finneson • Marti Hawkins • Pat Herlihy • Kathy Lazo • Betty McClintock • Collett Moffett • Jane Scott • Joanne Scott • Sandee Trakat

Studio Tour Sponsor Galleries:

These two local businesses will feature the work of local artists and artisans in a variety of mediums in special Studio Tour exhibitions. Please visit them and support the artists there!

Tish Fine Arts Plus, 343 High Street in Chestertown: Tish Fine Art Plus is an art gallery featuring paintings, sculpture, furniture, glassware, basketry and jewelry, plus greeting cards and a line of handcrafted beauty products. With a focus on local arts and artisans, Tish offers unique items from up and coming creatives for both the seasoned and beginning collector. Tish FIne Arts Plus is a proud supporter of Chestertown RiverArts and its annual Studio Tour. 

Undine's Cottage at Selkie Books, 6202 Rock Hall Road in Rock Hall: Rock Hall's old-fashioned bookstore, offering display and sale of local artists’ works, space for book club and community meetings, children’s reading times, and tutoring.

Ask about custom gift baskets of any description and price range! Selkie also offers a daily discount on all books except rare books, consignment books, and local artists’ works, to: Health Care Workers and Caretakers, First Responders and Safety Personnel, Active and Retired Military, Students and Teachers, Grandparents and Foster Parents, and Commercial Watermen. Selkie's is also a collection point for Maryland’s Books for Prisoners program.

Selkie will showcase the work of these artists during the Studio Tour:

Wendy Parsons Abbott (Acrylics) • Capt John Conolly (Wood Carving) • Clara Daining (Mixed Media) • Joyce Teat Dalto (Acrylics) • Bonnie Ford (Yarn) • Emma Williams Gilligan (Jewelry) • JP Henry (Photography) • Joan Kane Lausman (Mixed Media) • Robert David Lasus (Photography) • Mary O’ Bara (Mixed Media) • Sherri Phillips (Jewelry) • Frances Rodney (Jewelry) • Lisa Sasser (Woodwork) • Liz Smith (Woodwork) • Jo Van Wely (Jewelry)

^{Image credits: Left, Linda Kleinbart. Center, Joan Strand. Right, Joanne Scott}

RiverArts Covid safety policy:

Visitors, artists, staff, and volunteers have a right to know what to expect when they decide to take part in RiverArts activities. To help us keep our spaces open while protecting our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we commit to the following:

• Everyone over the age of 2 must wear masks at all indoor RiverArts spaces, regardless of vaccination status. 
• Physical distancing of at least 6 feet is required, especially when gathered for a lengthy period of time, as in a class.
• All staff, contracted employees, and volunteers who interact with the public must be vaccinated against Covid.
• Those who enter RiverArts spaces must sign in with a name and phone number or email, in case contact tracing is needed. This information will be kept for only two weeks and will not be used for any other purpose.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we continue to respond to changing conditions.

RiverArts will continue to monitor Covid 19 conditions and follow local, state, and federal mandates and guidance from public health experts. We reserve the right to adjust policies and make decisions based on the needs of our organization, staff, and volunteers.

For the comfort and safety of all, RiverArts recommends that all studios and visitors follow these policies as a baseline. Artists may establish more stringent policies as they choose in their own studios. If Studio Tour plans need to change, RiverArts will communicate updates via email, social media, and on this web page. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we respond to changing conditions to keep everyone safe.

Click here to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Click the button below or email Inez (inezsantori@chestertownriverarts.org) to volunteer to help with the Studio Tour.