“Red Rooves 1” by Christine Chang – Acrylic.

This past weekend over 400 Somerville artists opened their doors and invited the public into their studios for one of the largest single-weekend open studio events in the nation, Somerville Open Studios.

Now in its 15th year, the event took place throughout the city Saturday and Sunday with a preview Friday night at selected locations. In the U.S., only New York has more artists per capita than the City of Somerville.

During SOS, artists opened all kinds working space showcasing every kind of visual media. Throughout the city a visitor could see glass-blowers, jewelers, sculptors, digitally-based and interactive media artists, painters, photographers, weavers, printmakers, furniture makers, fashion designers, and artists whose media are too new to even have a name.

“Jimi” by Bettina Burch – oil on board.

Historic converted industrial spaces such as Vernon Street and Joy Street hold more than 100 artists each. Mid-sized buildings such as Mad Oyster Studios, Washington Street Art Center, Central Street, and others count their numbers in the dozens and often mount small group shows inside their buildings. Somerville’s Artisan’s Asylum is one of the largest maker spaces in the country.

Somerville Open Studios is the only opportunity to get an intimate glimpse into some of these more private artist lives in what becomes equal parts Open Studios and home show.