Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Saratoga photographer Nicholas Fiduccia is getting his images ready for display during Silicon Valley Open Studios.
Event celebrates open-door policy
By Shari Kaplan
As different as these creative media all are, there is one common bond shared among oil paints, colored pencils, blown glass, quilts, wood, stone, glass, ceramics, calligraphy, photography, jewelry and handmade books.
These media--and more than a handful of others--are used by the more than 350 artists, artisans and craftspeople participating in Silicon Valley Open Studios 2001, one of Northern California's largest open studios events. This year, it runs the weekends of April 21-22 through May 19-20. April 28-29 is the weekend featuring Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.
Many years ago, the event was called Open Studios of Santa Clara County, but grew so much that it was renamed Open Studios of South Bay Artists. Last year, the event's 14th, it opened under the auspices of a nonprofit artistic organization called Silicon Valley Visual Arts. Another name change ensued, although the event is not limited solely to Silicon Valley. It, in fact, encompasses 32 cities and towns in three counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Benito.
Silicon Valley Open Studios operates as a gigantic self-guided tour of, what publicist Chris Esparza calls, "a treasure trove of creativity pulsating just below the surface of Silicon Valley sterility."
Visitors, armed with specially printed maps, drive throughout the cities of their choice, visiting with artists and viewing--and perhaps buying--their works, after seeing them up close and personal. Some artists present demonstrations to the public, and most provide refreshments, as well. Artists' studios may be located in their homes or garages, or they may rent private studios or share spaces with other like-minded creative souls.
"Open Studios provides an unusual opportunity to enter the world of the visual artist and experience how, why and where original art is being created right here in the South Bay and along the Peninsula," Esparza says.
Saratoga residents participating in Silicon Valley Open Studios 2001 are Esther Daniel, Kay Duffy, Nicholas Fiduccia, Hugo Lecaros, Sharon Lips, Judith Marshall, Linda Hansen Mau, Luanne Nieman, Mariko Suzuki, Vivian A. Taggart and Yoju.
Additionally, several artists who do not live in Saratoga have chosen to exhibit here, sometimes in conjunction with fellow artists who live in town. The nonlocal artists are Millicent Bishop of Los Altos, Frances Byers of San Jose, Helga Eagle of Los Gatos, Elaine Frenett of San Jose, Rosemarie Gorman of Mountain View, Jane R. Hofstetter of Santa Clara, Karen Honaker of San Jose, Jane McCullough of Los Altos, May Miller of San Jose, Bette Paris Mohr of Monte Sereno, Pat Suggs of San Jose, Jean Warren of Los Gatos, Judy Welsh of San Jose and Floy Zittin of Cupertino.
Free maps--as well as catalogs for purchase--are available in Saratoga at The Mitre Box, 20605 Third St. Elemental Arts Gallery, 104 University Ave. and Blossom Hill Crafts, 19500 Blossom Hill Road, both in Los Gatos, also carry them.
The original maps were published with a portion missing, which omitted the names and locations of a number of artists. Silicon Valley Visual Arts has since printed an addendum, which has been delivered to all venues carrying maps. Addenda have also been sent to the artists.
For the locations of places in other South Bay cities to pick up maps and catalogs, or for more information about Silicon Valley Open Studios, call 650.941.5337, or visit www.svva.org on the Internet.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
