Art lovers strolled up and down artist stalls at the Running With Scissors studio on Saturday, talking with local artists as they worked on their craft in real time.
One little girl, letting go of her mother’s hand, ran to admire a potter’s work with awe.
“She’s having a wonderful time,” the girl’s mother, Katie Gagne, said. “It’s great to see everyone’s creativity.”
Saturday was Open Studio Day at Running With Scissors, working in tandem with Maine Craft Weekend, a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, businesses and events.
Throughout the weekend, the public had the opportunity to explore the life and work of craft artists and businesses in Maine.
Open studio days like this weekend’s event are unique for artist communities like Running With Scissors, co-owner Kate Anker said.
“It’s an art-forward event,” she said. “A lot of the time, you see the end piece, but you don’t see how the art is made. This is a really unique chance to meet the artists in their space.”
Throughout the day, over 80 artists welcomed visitors into their studios, sharing their work and their passion for art.
Potter Jordan King was just one of those artists.
For King, her studio space is like her second home.
“A studio isn’t pristine or perfect like a gallery,” King said, throwing a pot. “It’s real. We live here, we eat here, we find solace here. It’s important to share that with people.”
King fell in love with pottery after taking a course in college several years ago. Now, she spends her time making functional and sculptural work.
“I could never be bored with the craft,” she said.
Across the studio, another potter threw a vase as visitors looked on. Surrounded by examples of her colorful, American Traditional tattoo-style painted pottery, Emily Armstrong talked of her love for making everyday, functional items look unique.
While some of her art is purely creative, Armstrong spends most of her time making things like mugs and pots. Things like that are overlooked, she said, but are necessary for day-to-day life.
“You can just have breakfast, or you can have super cute, fun breakfast with cute mugs and pots, too,” Armstrong said. “Anything to make your day a little bit happier.”
As the Clay Center Manager at Running With Scissors, Armstrong has taken part in many Open Studio Day events.
But for other budding artists, this year’s event was the first time they opened their creative workspaces to the public.
Painter Emma Garcelon said she was “looking forward” to inviting people into her space.
“I think it’s a good chance to build community,” Garcelon said. “I think with art, especially, people like to get to know the artist and learn about their process.”
That kind of exposure is exactly what Anker was envisioning when opening her studio.
“The event educates the public, but it’s also a chance for artists to get feedback, too. It’s really important,” Anker said. “We’re helping artists develop along their path.”
As the day continued, more and more art enthusiasts found themselves wandering the hallways at Running With Scissors, stopping to talk with artists, or simply take in the creativity.
One Portland resident, Zsofia McMullin, embraced the day as a fun way to support the art scene in Maine.
“Open studios bring people closer to art, and make it seem more accessible,” McMullin said. “Art is not a luxury. It’s a necessity to daily life.”
