The 9th annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on October 1-2, 2016 will showcase an extraordinary cross-section of work by artists from the Hopewell community. The tour runs from the center of Hopewell Boro to the outskirts of town and inside many artists’ private workspaces.
For the first time, this year’s Hopewell Tour features an unparalleled program of studio visits, solo shows and group exhibits showcasing established and emerging artists in the area. The fall weekend will also coincide with the launch of a new website, featuring each of the participating artists, images of their work and their contact information.
Starting at the Hopewell Train Station, visitors can view and buy art from 35 local artists and artisans and experience a well curated program of studio tours and gallery talks. Many of the artists are on hand to discuss their background, process and work.
Founded by Beth Ann Judge, Ruth Morpeth and Sean Mannix, the proprietor of Highland Design Farm, the 9th annual Hopewell Tour offers a wide-range of mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, woodwork and collage, all grounded in Hopewell’s rich history as a boutique artist’s community.
Judge, who is a gemologist and three-time DeBeers award winner, has a studio and store on Seminary Avenue where she does custom, one-of-a-kind pieces and limited production. Each year Judge designs a collection in advance of the Hopewell Tour des Arts fall weekend. In addition to her own jewelry designs, Judge runs jewelry making and introduction to enameling workshops for high-school aged girls in the area.
Since 1996, Morpeth’s contemporary gallery, on Broad Street, has featured the work of emerging and mid-career artists from across the country. For the tour, she will host a group exhibition in the gallery. During the rest of the year, her gallery space doubles as a well-edited framing studio.
Highland Design Farm houses the studios of several artists between three buildings, including Mannix’s own 3,500-foot wood and metalworking shop. Mannix is a master craftsman and furniture designer as well as an avid restorer, with an extensive knowledge and archive of historical fixtures and hardware. Mannix also works with architects, builders and other tradesmen on new homes and historic renovations throughout the Northeast. His rural property, which was once a chicken farm, was converted to Artist Studios in 1975
Hopewell Tour des Arts is sponsored by DJ Campbell Advertising and Marketing, Morpeth Contemporary + Frame Studio, Highland Design farm, T Johnson Design and the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
This year’s fall tour will be held in Hopewell on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, 2016 Maps are available at the Hopewell Train Station on the weekend of the tour, as well as online. For more information visit: hopewellarts.com
