TRIBECA — More than 50 Downtown artists will open their studios this weekend for the 18th annual Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour, or TOAST.
The free event, which runs from May 9 to 12, gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at the art-marking process, with an opportunity to chat with artists, tour their workspaces and potentially buy pieces, said Shawn Washburn, president of the nonprofit TOAST.
In addition to the dozens of artist studios that will be on display to the public, several galleries — including ONE Art Space at 23 Warren St. and SoHo Photo Gallery at 15 White St. — will be part of the self-guided tour.
Participants will be able to pick up a map of the open studios at ONE Art Space during a gallery show to kick off TOAST on May 9 at 6 p.m. Maps are also available on TOAST’s website.
TriBeCa artists on the tour this year include photographer Albert Delamour, who layers resins and precious metals on his pictures; painter Tatham Smith, who uses a "pop art" style in her work; and a group of young fashion artists called the Young Designers Collective.
"Every year we hope this event helps promote the arts Downtown with an interesting glimpse into how artists work," Washburn said.
"Many artists have moved out of TriBeCa over the years, but younger artists are still coming in, working Downtown, and there's really a lot of wonderful art being produced in this neighborhood."
TOAST runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 9, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 10 through May 12.
