By: Jessie Monsivais Photo via: Rockport Center for the Arts Facebook Page
The Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) is sustaining the pulse of the local art scene. Introducing a virtual tour of local artist studios, Rockport Studio Tour LIVE is a weekly YouTube series, showcasing artist’s techniques, and uncovering the inspiration behind their creative art. The virtual event comes as an adaptation after the third annual Rockport Studio Tour, presented by First Community Bank and KIII-TV 3, was postponed due to COVID-19 regulations. The RCA has kept the event alive for local art fans who would have enjoyed the unique experience of exploring the studios of local artists in person.
“Given our creative nature, it was only a matter of time for RCA to puzzle out our situation and adapt to incorporate virtual resources into our programs and services,” states Karol Stewart, the event organizer and Director of Development and Membership Relations.
Adapting to current social distancing mandates and “Stay at Home” orders, by converting in-person events and programs to cloud-based benefits and services, is something most businesses and organizations in the community have had to do. The RCA’s YouTube LIVE events are a way for the Studio Tour Artists to demonstrate the strength of the local community.
“I am still working in my studio every day, creating new work,” says Rockport Studio Tour artist, Stan Irvin. “Like most other artists, it is also motivating for me to know there will be an eventual audience for work created, which will happen when it is safe for the Studio Tour to be rescheduled.”
Stan Irvin is one of the many artists eager to showcase the pieces they are making during this time. In addition to Rockport Studio Tour LIVE, RCA’s Virtual Programming is expanding to offer social events with artists and allow patrons the opportunity to express the creative spirit during these unprecedented times.
Follow these upcoming events and video playlists via the Rockport Center for the Arts’ YouTube Channel and Facebook page:
Rockport Center for the Arts YouTube Channel
- Rockport Studio Tour YouTube LIVE, Tuesdays at 4 pm: Bringing you inside artists’ studios with weekly YouTube Live interviews. A link to the show will be posted on the RCA Facebook page each week and will be available on Rockport Center for the Arts YouTube Channel.
- Art with Me Video Series, new videos added each week: Check out RCA’s YouTube Channel for the Art with Me video series. Partnering with RCA member artist instructors, a playlist of videos provides detailed demonstrations on techniques in a variety of media. If you are interested in creating a demo video, email info@rockportartcenter.com.
Facebook Events
- Happy Hour with The Artist, Fridays at 4 pm: Join Curator Elena Rodriguez for an engaging and creative conversation with a new guest artist every week. The series starts this Friday at 4 pm on the Facebook page with the Rockport Art Festival 2020 artist, V. Vaughan.
- FREE Family Saturdays, Saturdays at 10 am: FREE Family Saturdays have moved online with a new topic for members and the public to participate by posting their creations on social media. RCA will share a weekly gallery of all submissions.
For a complete list of participating studios and artists on the following page with updates available at www.rockportartcenter.com.
