Open Studio

Open Studio Weekend" began in 1989, formed by a handful of artists most of whom relied on the sale of artwork as their sole income. They combined efforts to promote their art and support one another. Inspired by this small group, the growing live-in artist community forming at the Colt Building and more art studios on Arbor Street, by the 5th year, the participation had grown to 50 local artists.Spring Open Studio Weekend was introduced and the inclusion of “visiting” artists was accepted - meaning those artists that lived outside of Hartford could join and show their work in group spaces or in corridors of various venues. That year, there were over 60 artists that came to show in a raw space under the Colt Dome. The event continued to grow with the opening of ArtSpace Hartford. It was a very exciting time for "Hartford Artists' Open Studio Weekend" drawing the attention of the media. In 2003, Artists in Real Time, Inc. (ART) was formed and received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status. The event now known as "Open Studio Hartford" is ART's major undertaking.