Bay Area Open Studios to Visit During National Craft Weekend

Artisans around the Bay Area are getting ready to open their studios and workshops to the public as part of National Craft Open Studios Weekend. The free American Craft Council event will take place in 36 states across the country, with more than 200 organizations participating.

Here are the people and places in the Bay taking part on July 18 and 19.

Mission Community Woodshop
(20 Clinton Park)

Hidden near the corner of Valencia and Duboce, this huge, 5,250-square-foot shop is a woodworker’s dream. The nonprofit, founded by teachers Andrew Salverda and Dan Matz, prides itself on making woodworking accessible for everyone and offers classes on a sliding scale. This is a great opportunity to find out more about machine safety, upcoming workshops and — most importantly of all — the three adorable shop dogs who will guard you as you learn more.

RGF Studio
(1340 Bryant St.)

Jeweler, welder, blacksmith and machinist Rebekah Frank is opening her studio doors to share how she turns steel into works of wearable art. Frank, who trained all over the world and has actively attempted to build communities of queer metal artists, is a consciously inclusive teacher. This is, in part, the result of her so often being the only woman in the workshops where she learned her craft. In addition to her jewelry practice, Frank also creates sculptures and monoprints.

Rockingstitch Productions, Inc.
(1587 Sanchez St.)

Joe Cunningham’s quilts are literal works of art, made by both hand and machine. Cunningham has been a professional quiltmaker — and author on the subject — for almost half a century. He uses his craft to explore political themes, recall historical events, and as expressions of personal love and loss. His work has been part of the de Young Museum’s permanent collection since 2010, when he was the museum’s artist in residence. Cunningham’s online workshops attract thousands of students; this is a chance to grab a glimpse behind the wadding for free.

Shotwell Paper Mill
(305 Shotwell St.)

If you’ve ever wondered how to make paper from old rags and plants, you’ll want to visit Shotwell Paper Mill. Helmed by textile and fiber artist Pam DeLuco, this Mission District studio collaborates with individuals and organizations alike to make books and tell stories in sustainable ways. The organization is also surprisingly romantic: among many other things, they help couples turn their old clothing into wedding invitations.

Berkeley Potters Guild
(731 Jones St., Berkeley)

Founded 55 years ago, the Berkeley Potters Guild is Northern California’s oldest and largest collective of professional ceramicists. Hidden behind the anonymous blue visage of the Guild’s warehouse are 19 private studios, embracing an eclectic array of aesthetics. Highlights include Julia Kirillova’s whimsical teapots, Carol Valk’s ornithological creations and Niki Shelley’s earthy, minimalist homewares.

Carol Lee Shanks
(3102 Wheeler St., Berkeley)

Carol Lee Shanks wants the textural clothing she creates to turn the wearer into a living, moving sculpture. Playing with dimension, transparency, volume and lines, Shanks’ handmade creations offer comfort and practicality, as well as a wow factor. The UC Davis graduate treats sewing as a meditative practice. That focus and intentionality is visible in every stitch.

David M. Bowman Studio
(2816 10th St., Berkeley)

Father and son team David and Reed Bowman work with brass and copper to make a wide variety of unique art pieces, as well as jewelry, vases and other homewares, including clocks and menorahs. David is self-taught, and has been perfecting his craft since 1971. His son Reed’s designs are informed by a UC Berkeley history degree, as well as the Master’s he earned in Medieval Studies. The two operate out of a studio they built behind their homes.

Pizzichillo Gordon Glass
(2680 Union St., Oakland)

Glass-blowing duo Bruce Pizzichillo and Dari Gordon have worked together for more than 45 years, combining traditional Venetian techniques with more modern methods. Together, they create striking bowls, vases, jewelry, lighting, as well as abstract, maximalist wall art. Expect fire and intimidating ovens!

Werkshack
(481 25th St., Oakland)

Ten makers share this nonprofit studio, gallery and retail space — and they work in a wide variety of mediums. Don’t miss Holly Bobisuthi’s innovative approach to statement jewelry, Sigrid Hubbell’s botanical sculptures and Olivia A. Carter’s gorgeous leatherwork.

Fassbinder Gallery and Atelier
(110 Purrington Rd., Petaluma)

Expressionistic landscape artist Mary Fassbinder has been painting the wilds of Northern California — and much further afield (including all 63 National Parks) — since 1994. When not on a hillside with her easel, Fassbender also makes ceramics and Lino-cut prints, and takes portrait commissions for both pets and humans. Her paintings of Bodega Bay, China Camp, Point Reyes, Merced and Marin will be of particular interest to local outdoorsy art lovers.

FLM Ceramics
(301 2nd St., Petaluma)

FLM’s geometrically inclined handmade tiles and pottery were born in the mind of Forrest Lesch-Middelton, who calls working with clay “alluring,” “sexy” and “incredibly hard.” Now he shares his business with two fellow potters, Wyatt Amend and Kelly Brothers, along with ceramicist Stephanie LeBaudour. Lesch-Middelton teaches workshops from time to time, and uses creative techniques to create his pottery — including transferring screen-printed images onto pots while he’s still throwing them.

Nicasio Woodworks
(2000 Nicasio Valley Rd., Nicasio)

Husband and wife team Barbara Contini and Patrick McDonnell use scavenged wood from downed and discarded trees to make furniture, toys and kitchenware. Contini — a former vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco — recently referred to her business in an interview as a “hobby that has run amok.” Nicasio’s website offers step-by-step guides to carving wood yourself, but you’re sure to learn more by meeting this couple in person.

Harriete Estel Berman
(657 42nd Ave., San Mateo)

Self-described “recycling evangelist” Harriete Estel Berman takes other people’s trash and turns it into art and jewelry that consistently questions capitalism, patriarchy and the constant onslaught of advertising. She creates from a perspective that embraces both the hardness of a metal workshop and the softness of traditional femininity. This is a great opportunity to explore Berman’s work — and find some of the most spectacular bracelets you’ve ever seen.

Attendees of the National Craft Open Studios Weekend are encouraged to register in advance.