This weekend, you have the opportunity to visit 30 artists showing their work during the 2023 self-guided Open Studios weekend!

The event takes place on July 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission and parking. A self-guided map guides you to 30 artists at 22 locations throughout Hull and neighboring towns. Featured media include painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), mixed media, photography, fiber arts, encaustic, jewelry, drawing, collage, and more.

Since 1995, Open Studios has invited visitors into artists’ homes where you can chat with the artists, meet other art lovers, learn about art-making, get a unique perspective on Hull’s fascinating neighborhoods and remarkable natural beauty, and acquire art treasures along the way.

Details about each artist, and a downloadable map and guide, are available at Hull Artists/Open Studios. Also, be sure to visit Gallery Nantasket, the Open Studios headquarters, across from the beach – always free and always fun!

Last Saturday, despite potentially discouraging weather, 21 hardy artists painted “en plein air” (French for out-of-doors) throughout Hull. They stretched from the Weir River bridge overlooking the estuary up to Pemberton Point and the Gut.

Painting locations also included three private homes that provided excellent subjects to paint including, a “secret garden” recommended by the Hull Garden Club. The painting was concluded by 1:30 p.m. when artists turned in their “wet paint” art to be hung in the Hull Public Library’s upstairs gallery room. The public reception for the exhibition and sale was from 2:30-4:30 p.m., and quickly filled up the room with approximately 80 attendees viewing and purchasing the art. In the end, unsold art went home with the artists.

Cash awards were provided for the first, second, and third-place winners: Nensi Karanxha, Shannon Chiba, and Tina Watson, respectively. Additionally, honorable mention awards were given to Morgan Davis, Klarens Karanxha, and Susan Kerrigan. The show was judged by Kathy Mogayzel.

“From what I saw and heard, all the artists and the viewing public were thrilled with the event and everyone is looking forward to next year's event,” said Hull Artists President Bart Blumberg.

For photos of the event, painters on location, the art, and attendees visit the website: hullartists.com/pleinair2023.