Frequently Asked Questions

Category:
Artist Registration
  • How do I register for the tour

    Visit this page for a detailed walkthrough on how to register for the tour

  • Who are the Board Members?
    President. Aline Hoffman optmst@icloud.com 916-4232 Vice President & Brochure Manager Tim Rainville rainville4396@sbcglobal.net 382-6321 Tech Manager Pam Lee plee1825@gmail.com 420-9678 Communications Peggy Church peggychurch2@gmail.com 455-0724 Treasurer Judy Doyle jdoyle673@gmail.com 999-1673 Sign Manager Shauna Shane fentonriver@yahoo.com 429-3646 Publicity Manager. Suzy Staubach. suzy@willowtreepottery.us 287-8056
  • What towns are included in the AOS tour?
    Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Stafford, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Willington, Windham, Woodstock, Sterling. This list is in our By-Laws.
  • I live outside of the participating towns. Can I participate in the tour?
    If you live outside of the towns listed in the By-Laws, the only way you can participate is if you find a venue within these listed towns to show your works.
  • How do I set up the Google Map location on my page?
    1: Go to Google Maps.com in your browser. 2: Type in your full address on the left. 3: Check to make sure the map is accurate. 4: Below your address is a blue image, and below that are four options. 5: Click on the "share" option on the left. 6: Copy that URL 7: Return to your AOS page and using the pulldown menu, paste that URL into the google map location. If you need help, email Aline at optmst@icloud.com
  • I want to participate in a group. What groups are available to me?
    To join a group, you must have permission from the person in charge of that group. Contact Aline Hoffman at optmst@icould.com for the updated list of available groups.
  • AOS Fee
    The fee to participate is $135.00, which has remained at this amount for a number of years. To have a web presence without participating in the tour: $90.00. Web presence means that you agree not to have your work on display to the public during the five days of the tour.
Participant Obligations
  • Tell me about the AOS signs.
    You are responsible for two different types of signs: Event Signs (belong to AOS) and Location Signs (belong to the artist). You are expected to pick up 2 - 3 Event Signs from your Region Manager in a timely manner and to place them in different locations, never all in one area (only one of these at the entrance of your space). Your location sign has a blank circle for you to add your studio number and is to be placed where guests can easily see it - only on the days you are open. (Numbers may change each year so do not paint it on. Use stick-on numbers from a hardware store.) If it is a hardship for you to pick up signs from your Region Manager in the town you are showing, and you would prefer to pick up in the area where you live, contact Aline Hoffman at optmst@icloud.com. At the end of the tour: take in all signs from their various locations by the first Monday evening at the latest. Event signs are to be returned to your Region Manager within one week of the end of the tour. The sign with your studio number is yours to keep. Please update your number each year if it changes.
  • Am I responsible for Dated Signs if I'm in a group show?
    Yes. Find strategic locations for your three signs. If you live and show in two different areas, place your signs where you live.
  • Am I required to attend the Annual Meeting?
    Your presence is not required however it is highly desired. This is the planning meeting, an opportunity to be heard, to make suggestions, to consider changes. Since Covid, our meetings have been on Zoom. Since you don't have to travel to the meeting, we hope that everyone will attend. The 2024 meeting will be Sunday February 18th at 2:00pm. To receive the link you must be part of Peggy Church's email list: peggychurch2@gmail.com
  • Do I have to have an email account to participate?
    Yes. Participants are expected to have a working email address (or at least access to one), and to check it regularly. Participants are also expected to review and respond to messages (when a response is required) from any AOS Board Member in a timely manner. All emails from Peggy Church with !!AOS in the subject are directly related to the tour.
  • Does an participating artist have to be open all five days?
    No, There are five choices for days open during the registration process, They are: 1. Open all five days. 2. Open Four days: Saturday and Sunday of both weekends. 3. The first weekend only - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 4. The first weekend only - Saturday and Sunday. 5. The second weekend only
  • Brochures/Tour Guides
    You are expected to pick up brochures from your Region Manager in a timely manner, and are responsible for distributing 100 - 150 brochures.
  • Who is my Region Manager
    Region Managers: 1: Stafford, Tolland, Union Susi Byers - 338-0124 - pottingaround@gmail.com 2: Ashford, Eastford, Willington, Chaplin Steve Gerling - 860-463-7554 - segerling@snet.net 3: Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson, Woodstock, N. Grosvenordale Arrik Kim - 860-985-2998 arrikkim@charter.net 4: Danielson, Killingly, Plainfield, Sterling, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Hampton, Scotland Alison Ciarlante - 914-204-9039 sasapeacerocks@gmail.com 5: Storrs, Mansfield, Willimantic, Windham Blanche Serban - 860-280-2025 blanche.serban@gmail.com 6: Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Lebanon Marjorie Vrabel - 860- 331-1744 marjorie.vrabel@gmail.com
Sponsors
  • What is the role of a Sponsor of AOS?
    Sponsors are usually local businesses who wish to support local artists. We cannot accept galleries or other businesses that display original art unless the artist(s) are paid participants of the AOS tour.
  • Are there any restrictions for Sponsors?
    Yes. Sponsors cannot be galleries or other places that show the work of artists who are not paid participants of the Artists Open Studio Tour.
  • How can I become a Sponsor?
    You would click on "Sponsors" on the main menu. This brings you to all the information you would need. At the bottom of that page, you will find a downloadable form. If you do not have the ability to download that form, email me, Aline Hoffman, at optmst@icloud.com to request this form.
Visiting a Studio

Our Sponsors

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