In the mid-’90s, Arts Benicia began hosting Open Studios, in which artists open the doors of their studios to showcase the creative environments they work in. The event was such a success that it became an annual occurrence each May, drawing 4,000 visitors each year, many from outside Benicia. However, Benicia being the art haven that it is, one Open Studios event each year was not enough, so a second one was added 11 years ago focused on the artists of Benicia’s historic Arsenal. This iteration can be seen this weekend.

Unlike the May Open Studios, which is operated by Arts Benicia and features artists throughout the city, the December Open Studios is mainly just the Arsenal artists. Mike Kendall, a founding member of Arts Benicia, said the large scope of the May event made it harder to move the crowds around.

“What’s nice down here in the Arsenal is people park and they walk to every studio,” he said. “There’s about 20 studios and 47 artists participating this year.”

Kendall also said the timing of the December Open Studios places a greater emphasis on purchasing artwork for gift-giving purposes.

Beyond that, the premise is mostly the same as the May event. People walk from studio to studio, chat with the artists, see their work as well as their workspace, and even have the opportunity to purchase works at a variety of prices.

The works exhibited are presented in a range of forms, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more. Ann Hammes of the art shop Femmage will be selling handmade Christmas ornaments, Marla Sanders will be showcasing wildlife and animal rescue photography, Keri Luiz will be showing her pinstriping and copper jewelry work, Sharon Payne Bolton will be exhibiting art books, and that is just a quick skim of the different artistic media that will be present at Open Studios.

Kendall said a number of artists who are either new to Benicia or just moved into a studio will be featured, including Laura Garcia of Gallerie Renee Marie who obtained studio space on Tyler Street, Grace Cohen, Jeffrey Tover and Thelo Morse, a sculptor who will be showing work on Jackson Street.

With the holiday season in full swing, Kendall anticipates a festive experience as well as an opportunity for people to become further acquainted with Benicia’s art scene.

“A lot of people who have been in town for years, they don’t even know the Arsenal artist community even exists down here,” he said.

Kendall added that the event is a chance to “go into artists’ studios and see the environment where the works are brought up and created.”

December Open Studios will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 at studios located on Jackson, Tyler and Grant streets. Refreshments will be served, and parking and admission are free. For more information, go to MikeKendall.com/decos13.html.

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