FIRST SATURDAY OPEN STUDIOS
What is First Saturday?
First Saturday Open Studios is an opportunity to visit artists at work in their studios located throughout the lower mainland.
Our goal is to build connections between artists and the public.
It is a chance to explore working studios, ask questions, learn about techniques and build relationships with the artists.
This is also where you can buy art direct from the artist and get first hand, the details and story of your new piece of artwork.
How do I know which studios are open?
The website includes information on all participating metro Vancouver artists under “Open This Month.”
Can anyone go?
Yes, everyone is welcome. Kids and families are encouraged.
Each building has safety precautions in place.
What if I don’t know anything about art?
It doesn’t matter. We invite visitors to our studios because we love what we do and we want to share that passion and the work we make.
What will I see when I visit the studios?
Every studio is different. Sometimes the artists plan a demo and have a hands-on experience. You may see work in progress, sketch books, process, tools, materials and work heading to art markets, and galleries.
Can I take photos?
Please check with the artists first.
Are the studios wheelchair-accessible?
Contact the artists directly to determine if their studio is wheelchair accessible. Every studio is different so it’s a good idea to call ahead to prevent disappointment.
Is there parking?
Each studio has different parking access. Most studios are in industrial areas and visitors will find street parking. Don’t forget
to check out public transit options.
Can I buy artwork during the studio visit?
Absolutely. If you are in the studio and you are not sure if
something is for sale, just ask.
INFO FOR ARTISTS
THIS IS AN ARTIST-RUN EVENT. WE ARE A TEAM!
WE ARE RUN BY VOLUNTEERS SO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US AS IT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS TO GET ALL YOUR INFO ON THE SITE.
To join us here are the guidelines:
1)Be a working studio where people see the the process as well as the creations.
2) Be an artisan/artist creating their own original/individual pieces, not a shop ‘mass producing’.
3) Be committed to participating and helping promote fellow artists and the event.
4) You can join anytime of the year but renewal date is always April 1.
5) Follow these steps:
1. Pay your annual membership fee.
2. Send in your info for your profile.
3. Let your rep or Dana or Michael know when you want to be open or closed
4. ALL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.
CONTACTS:
SUBJECT LINE for correspondence to us should look like this…. FS your name and Studio building.
EXAMPLE: FS Valerie Arntzen Paneficio Studios
QUESTIONS: firstsaturdayopenstudio@gmail.com
Payments: valeriearntzen@gmail.com
Website submission: firstsaturdayopenstudio@gmail.com
Open This Month page: UPDATED A WEEK BEFORE FIRST SAT!
Vancouver, Victoria, Gulf Islands and New Westminster danacromie@gmail.com
North Vancouver please email micbro@telus.net
More details see Monthy regsitrations below.
Social Media:firstsaturdaysubmissions@gmail.com
Google Drive: kevinjmelanson@gmail.com
CHECKLIST
PAYMENTS
FEE: Each artist in a building or studio pays a membership fee of $25 when joining.
An annual fee of $25 will be charged every year after that.
Fees due April 1 (grace period March 15-31)
HOW TO PAY: Etransfers should be directed to valeriearntzen@gmail.com
(No security question needed) OR cash OR cheque made out to:
Valerie Arntzen 800 Keefer Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Y7
ARTISTS PROFILE PAGE
** The cut off date each month is the 20th for profiles to be added to the website in time for the next open studio day. **
If you have paid your membership fee and sent in everything for your profile page, it will be live for the follwing open studio, if you meet the deadline. Otherwise you will be listed on the Next Open Studio page if requested and your profile page will follow the next month.
Contact info: Name and address (include studio number)
Social Media: send to us as links.. website, IG, FB, email, etc.
Images: 4 large JPEG (jpeg only supported) images, plus include1 image of you in your studio
Artist Statement/BIO: short description max 150 words.
Medium: (please choose from this list) painting, furniture, photography, drawing, textiles, fashion-clothing, fashion-accessories, fashion-leather, assemblage, collage, paper art, clay, ceramics, film, glass, drawing, jewelry, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, public art. Only two will be listed, choose your main medium.
Profile Edits: You may change images and update information at anytime during the year. However your first edit is included and if you wish updates after that, it is $10 fee each time changes are made.
Send all to firstsaturdayopenstudio@gmail.com
MONTHLY REGISTRATION: “Next Open Studios” is managed by:
Dana danacromie@gmail.com for Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, New Westminster, the Okanagan Michael micbro@telus.net for North Vancouver.
Building Rep if you have a building rep please let them know your status and they communicate with Dana or Michael.
OPEN OR CLOSED: email them by the deadline below. SUBJECT LINE must read….
example: First Saturday or (FS) Valerie Arntzen Paneficio Studios
The deadline is 8am Saturday before First Saturday. Your listing remains the same until you tell them to change your status.
Please do not have your studio say open when it is not. Nothing worse than clients coming to a closed door!
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS To be posted on our social media please send us the following information and send to firstsaturdaysubmissions@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE ONLY POSTS IN SQUARE ASPECT WILL BE ACCEPTED!
Subject Line. FS social media
Picture of you in your studio, your new art, work in progress, your next event: (limit to three and a jpeg emailed to us)
Short blurb about the photo(s) you are sending in:
Name of artist:
Email address:
Studio location (name of building and address):
Website:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Artists can send us info anytime and we will also be asking for submissions on themes from time to time.
You will only be featured in months you are open.
ADVERTISE:
There is no central "mailing list" but here are some suggestions to make it work:
-contact Valerie to pick up: flag, posters, postcards, business cards
-Invite your own client list (advertise it as new work or similar work they have purchased in the past).
-Offer demonstrations or workshops.
- Work with the artists near you to encourage people to visit other area studios.
- Make a small hand-out map of the other buildings and artists in your immediate area.
- Work with artists in your area to create a special event like a sale or seasonal show, etc.
- It is your responsibility to contact us to correct info on the site
- Use our social media facts page to connect with First Saturday social media.
- Contact us to get your banner (one for each building) and postcards, posters and business cards.
PROBLEMS? QUESTIONS? Email firstsaturdayopenstudio@gmail.com for help.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ARTISTS
SAFETY: Please make sure your studio is a safe environment for visitors by having tools, tripping hazards, etc. correctly stored.
SECURITY is a big issue whether you are in your own building or part of a larger building. A couple of suggestions:
- If you are in a building with a locked entrance door please make sure entry information is noted on the website or on your front door.
- Do not give or publicly post the code to your building or the location of a hidden key as that becomes a security risk for other artists in your building.
- Use the buddy system when at all possible. Having more than one person in the studio is just safer. You could offer a friend art lessons and when visitors come it could be a jumping-off point to start a conversation. If you are in a bigger building check on each another once in a while.
ARTIST CARE: Please be considerate of other artists in your building who do not take part in First Saturday. Make sure your visitors know the whole building is not open. Meet them at the door and escort them out at the end of the visit.
Notify your neighbours that visitors might be in the building. Make sure your signage does not interfere with other artists"‘ notices.
