“Woman With Purple Hair” by George Teshu, one of dozens of local artists who are opening their studios to the public this weekend during Somerville Open Studios.

By Jim Clark

Local artists and crafters from around the city are once more opening their work spaces to the public as the 2016 edition of Somerville Open Studios gets underway this weekend.

Through its programming, SOS gives access to the work of visual artists living and working in the city of Somerville. They provide opportunities to view art made within the community; to interact with local artists; and to have access to artists’ working spaces.

Their goal is to broaden the public’s exposure to, and appreciation of, finished works of art as well as the art-making process. This exposure both educates the community and raises awareness of the diverse artistic experience available in Somerville.

Maps and vital information about the event is available on the SOS website: https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org.

The Artists’ Choice Show is now on display at the Somerville Museum. Every participating SOS artist was invited to submit one work to this exhibit, so it’s a great way to survey the variety of art that SOS has to offer.

For SOS weekend, the Artists’ Choice show will be open Thursday 2:00–7:00 p.m., Friday 2:00–9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–6 p.m.

At the Inside-OUT Gallery, in the windows of CVS in Davis Square, nine SOS artists are displaying work on the theme of “Greetings from Somerville / Wish You Were Here.”

The SOS Volunteer Show fills the walls of Davis Square’s Diesel Cafe with work by the many people who make SOS happen each year. Diesel is open until 11:00 p.m. every night.

The SOS Kids’ Art Show features work by Somerville’s youngest artists. See it at Arts at the Armory Cafe, 191 Highland Ave.

Somerville Open Studios is managed by a Board of Directors comprised of participating artists. An Open Studios executive committee is formed each year to organize the event. This committee is assisted by many dedicated volunteers. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact them if you would like to become involved.