I keep trying to wrap my head around the fact that it’s already September. While I wish it was boot and sweater season, at least the weather will be under 100 degrees (woohoo!) this 2nd Saturday, which is really good news because there’s plenty of artsy tours and fun to be had throughout Sacramento!

Open to All

September means Sac Open Studios, the annual event spearheaded by Verge Center for the Arts. This free, self-guided open studio tour kicks off today and runs for two weekends! Sac Open Studios is Sacramento’s oldest and largest open studio program. It spotlights local artists alongside a diverse collection of workshops, group shows, performances, and parties.

I will spend most of my Saturday touring the studios and making the most of this tradition!

Highlighted events happening on Saturday, include:

Sac Open Studios Preview Exhibition at Verge Center for the Arts
View artwork by Sac Open Studios artists and plan your studio tour!

Donation-based Pop-up Portraits at Verge Center for the Arts
Update your headshot and be photographed by Arkadiy Yaslynsky in your favorite clothes at this special one-day only pop-up portraits events.

DDSO Fundraiser at 1724 10th Street
Enjoy a fun pop-up art shop by Short Center South, Short Center North, and Alan Short Center artists and staff. An extensive range of work from figurative to abstract featuring paintings, drawings, ceramics, mosaics, hand-dyed silk scarves, and jewelry will be on sale.

10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Sac Open Studios (Courtesy of Art Tonic)

1. Have an open mind: Visit studios off the beaten path and check out genres of art you’re not normally drawn to.
2. Bring friends or family: Have drinks or dinner afterward to chat about your experience and compare notes.
3. Participate: Attend Sac Open Studios-related events and take part in activities presented by the artists.
4. Introduce yourself: Ask the artists questions or even better, tell them what you love about their work!
5. Take photos: Share your tour experiences by tagging @vergeart and using #sacopenstudios. Save images of artworks you love, along with the names of the artists, for future reference.
6. Take your time: If you find yourself drawn to a specific artist’s work, spend at least 10-15 minutes in their studio to deepen your appreciation of their art.
7. Take breaks: Experiencing art is rewarding, but it requires lots of mental and physical energy! Take a snack break to refresh your mind for more art viewing!
8. Take notes: Write down thoughts or questions about the art. Use these for personal reflection, future reference, or to ask the artist later.
9. Look around the studios: In addition to looking at the art, take a look at the objects artists keep in their studios to gain unique insights into the creative process.
10. Support artists: If you can afford it, ask artists how you can acquire a piece of their artwork for your personal collection.

THIS is Goodbye (Until Next Summer)

My next stop of the day will be to the final THIS is Midtown block party, featuring music by BLU J, CASINO GOLD, Trophii, Shaun Slaughter and Adam Jay. Beer garden and dancing? Count me in!

As I head off to my next stop, I will definitely be checking out the 11,000 square foot mural that local artist Maren Conrad completed last month on the backside of the MARRS Building for Wide Open Walls.

Humanity

My final event stop of the day will be to catch up with Sacramento365‘s August Featured Artists, ARTners Collaborative at their space for a mixed media art show featuring work from all of the artists who painted the Wide Open Walls mural, “Humanity” (located next to their studio in Improv Alley).

After an eventful day, I know I will have worked up an appetite, so I’ll head over to El Rey on K for some tacos and a margarita (or two)!

Looking for more artsy outings to attend? Check out our 2nd Saturday page on Sacramento365! Whatever you choose to do, be sure to use the hashtag #Sacramento365 to share your adventure with us.

Also, check out and download In the Sac App, which serves as the guide to all the locations for last month’s Wide Open Walls festival. The app also offers the best local farm-to-fork, libations, coffee, and event recommendations (powered by Sacramento365) on the grid.

Download the latest version of In the Sac App in the App Store or Google Play Store: http://inthesacapp.com/