Salida Studio Tour a Success!

Nearly 220 people passed through the doors of my Felt In Hand Studio, in a steady stream on August 28 and 29, 2009.

While many were locals, visitors came from the Front Range of Colorado as well as from Kansas, Connecticut, New York City and Charleston, SC.

With 13 pieces of my Network Tapestrytm on display in the Salon, there was plenty to look at! I also had the chance to show where I work and answer questions about how my art is made. Judging from the enthusiasm of visitors and what I heard from other Salida artists, this first-ever studio tour was a big hit and welcome addition to the late summer art scene in Salida.

To all who came, it was a pleasure visiting with you. Hope to see you here next year! - PJ

PJ's Studio Open For 1st Annual Salida Studio Tour, August 28-29, 2009

First stop? PJ Bergin's Felt in Hand Studio at 126-1/2 F Street, just above 1st Street in Historic Downtown Salida. I’m easy to find - ABOVE the Book Haven and across the street from Gambles. Look for the pink and green balloons out front. No need to ring, just come on upstairs and follow signs to the Salon. Not only will you have an opportunity to purchase the best art in Salida, you can view my work, watch me create, and ask questions about the process.

In addition, nearly a dozen of my latest pieces will be hung in the Salon. See how great they look with their custom metal, off-the-wall brackets and proper lighting.

Afterwards, fortify yourself with a great cup of coffee and fine baked goods at nearby Cafe Dawn before moving on to your next stop. Many studios are downtown and easily walkable. Don't forget lunch at the Downtown Deli next to my front door. It and many other fine eateries are all up and down F Street, along with numerous galleries, fun shops, the Arkansas River and Riverside Park.

Tour Hours are 10AM-6PM Friday and 9AM-5PM Saturday.

For more information, call me at 719-539-6382 and don't forget your studio tour map - click here to download a copy. Have a great trip and I look foward to welcoming you!

Ask The Artist

First in a series...

“When people see my work, they often ask– how do you get the latticework ‘holes’ in your Network Tapestrytm and why are they there?”

It starts when I lay out the dyed roving, PJ says, but becomes much more apparent after the finished work is installed. In this photo, PJ Bergin (right) explains how felt is created, while her finished abstract wall tapestry is seen in the background. Photo, courtesy of Jeff Rowe.

“To me, creating these voids is just as important as the felted parts that you can actually touch. When light shines on the tapestry, it bounces off the colored felt and decorative couching wire. At the same time, lighting casts subtle shadows on the empty spaces. When viewed as a whole, an abstract pattern of both substance and space is unveiled – and it changes each time you see it. In this way, my work always looks fresh and challenging to the viewer’s imagination.”