This fall season is the perfect time to explore art in every corner of town. The Natick Artists Open Studios group, in preparation for their annual Open Studios weekend on October 21 and 22, is sponsoring a number of free related events in the community.

Beginning September 4^th and running through October 27^th, an exhibit entitled “Animals” will be on display at the Morse Institute Library. The exhibit features original pieces by over 40 Natick Artists Open Studios participants and includes photography, paintings, sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, glass and mixed media.

The “Animal” theme continues on September 15^th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Art on the Common. Natick Artists Open Studios participants have created 11 giant animal-themed canvasses for local residents of all ages to paint. After the event, the finished canvasses will be displayed across town.

Join local artists, ceramicist Suzanne Stumpf, silversmith John Harwood and block print artist Anne Nydam, for a demonstration and discussion of their work at CREATIVE CONNECTIONS in the Lebowitz Meeting Hall at the Morse Institute Library on Wednesday, October 3^rd from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

The Oldtown Calendar Photo Competition will be held on Sunday, October 21 at the Eliot Church from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Local  residents will get to view the new 2013 Oldtown Calendar, featuring the work of talented photographers from the area. Additionally, guests will vote for their favorite photographs to be included in the 2014 calendar.

The annual Natick Artists Open Studios kicks off with an opening reception on Friday, October 19^th at Palettes on Main Street from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Then, from 12:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, participating artists will open their studio giving the community a free, self-guided art adventure and incredible opportunity to meet painters, photographers, sculptors, potters, jewelers, glass artists, and other fine artists. Over 60 artists will open their studios – from busy downtown group studios on Main Street and Adams Street to the Town Hall to country barns to in-home cozy South Natick studios. For art-lovers, budding artists, and/or the general public, the impact of viewing orginal artworks within the artists’ creative spaces is an experience not to be missed.

For more information, or to download a brochure and map of studio locations, please visit www.natickopenstudios.org.