Mad River Union
Arcata, California
Nov. 26, 2014

ARCATA – Artists Patricia Sennott, Joyce Jonté and Annette Makino will provide a window on their creative processes at Holiday Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7. This free, family-friendly event takes place at StewArt Studios in Arcata from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Sennott, who will be showing new monotype prints of birds and flowers, said, “It’s a great chance for the public to see behind-the-scenes art making. I can show my sketchbooks, drawings, and works in progress. When I visit other artists, I like seeing the early stages to understand how their work comes about.”

Jonté, a watercolor painter and mixed media artist specializing in nudes and florals, said, “Open Studios helps the public realize that artists are very human. Not everything we create is perfect. By visiting our studios and watching our demos, people can see the process and experience what we do.”

For Holiday Open Studios this year, StewArt Studios is hosting guest artist Makino, whose paintings in sumi ink and Japanese watercolors are often combined with haiku or other words.

“I’m delighted to team up with these talented artists to share our work with the community,” said Makino. “For artists, it’s really vital to hear how people respond to what we create, and Open Studios is a great way to get that feedback.”

Jonté will host an art corner in her studio where kids of all ages can come and experiment with water-soluble media. On Sunday at 1 p.m., Sennott will offer a demonstration of monotype printmaking.

All three artists will have framed and unframed originals for sale, along with fine art reproductions and greeting cards.

Art by StewArt Studios members Carol Andersen, Susan Bornstein, Carol Falkenthal and Libby George will also be on view and available for sale.

This year, StewArt Studios is celebrating its 10th year of hosting Holiday Open Studios. This event is in addition to the county-wide North Coast Open Studios that takes place over two weekends every spring.

“Open Studios is always really exciting,” said Jonté. “Many people don’t know about the wonderful things happening in this corner of the community. This is a fun way to spread the word.”

Currently home to seven artists, StewArt Studios also hosts the Arcata Life Drawing Circle three times per week (see www.drawing.nu for details). In addition, Sennott teaches a monotype class there on Monday evenings and Jonté offers private and group lessons in drawing and mixed media.

StewArt Studios is located at 1125 16th Street near Arcata High School, in the old Stewart School office building. Direction are as follows: Enter the parking lot from L Street between 15th and 16th Streets. Walk into the building on the ground level through the doors beneath the stairs, then look for Suite 105.

For more information, call 707-498-6224.