The annual RiverArts© Studio Tour is coming up fast the first weekend in November. And I’m proud to be participating once again.

Open Studio Exhibition

in partnership with the RiverArts© 2024 Artists Studio Tour

November 2nd, Saturday from 11am – 5pm

November 3rd, Sunday from 11am – 3pm

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The Lofts at 423 Saw Mill River Road (Building A)

3rd Floor Club Lounge

Ardsley, New York 10502

Here’s what you can expect.

Food – the main event, both paintings and edibles

This year I am dedicating this show to Riviera Bakehouse in Ardsley, which unfortunately closed in January 2024, after 70 years in business. My long and passionate painting obsession with desserts was inspired by Riviera’s classic, luscious, mouth-watering cakes, pies, and tarts and unique signature desserts. I’ll be exhibiting my Riviera dessert paintings from my collectionas a group, including the signature slanted top birthday cake, so you can see their progression over time.

Fortunately, the owner, Liv Hansen, who made my dynamite 60th birthday party cake, opened an alternate location The Bakehouse at Tarrytown Metro North Train Station, offering breakfast and lunch menu options, grab-and-go dinners, cupcakes, cookies and a full coffee bar.

GDC and The Lofts has graciously offered up the 3rd Floor Lounge for the show. It’s a large beautiful space with shelves, where more paintings can be shown than in my apartment. GDC (Ginsberg Development Corporation) will be providing food and drinks both days.

Saturday from 2-4 Cheese, Charcuterie and Wine & other non-alcoholic beverages

Sunday from 12-2 Bagels and Cream Cheese, Danish, and Mimosas, and other drinks

Notecards will be available for sale, including Riviera’s signature slanted birthday cake.

Of course, Oreos will be provided for biting (GF Oreos too!). Maybe your bite will turn up in a future painting…

Flowers – video, small paintings and fresh

There will be a running video of my favorite Sogetsu Ikebana arrangements from my weekly online zoom class. Plus I plan on showing at least one Ikebana arrangement – a creative activity that began during the pandemic and is still going strong. It’s like painting with flowers!

Previous Open Studios preparations have included flower arrangements in more traditional in outdoor planters. At least I’m consistent.

Also, some small flower paintings like the Lotus and Orchid will be exhibited, and featured on notecards scattered among the sweets.

Fun – a community of like minded people and a taste of AI

Expect the unexpected. Are you using AI (artificial intelligence)? Hope you’ll share your favorite AI apps with me. And I’ll share what I’ve learned since last year.

I plan to experiment with AI and see what happens. AI has evolved a lot in the last year. This is something relatively new for me. Your guess is as good as mine about how this will come out. Come see for yourself!

Logistics

Tour Maps For the RiverArts Studio Tour Weekend

Over 70 artists in the Rivertowns (Hastings, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, and Sleepy Hollow) will be participating in this event. You can download a printable map here and plan your strategy. My location is #23 on the map in the Ardsley section, and the other talented, realistic artist in my apartment complex is #22 on the map, Linda Friedlander. Linda is a short walk away in the 3rd Floor Lounge of Building C (1 Mill River Lane). So this stop is a twofer (two artists for the price of one!).

Or go to the 2024 Rivertown Studio Tour page for an interactive map to see the scope of the tour. Click on the icon in upper right hand corner of the map and search by town.

I’ll be updating this post with new information as it become available. I’ll have a few printed maps on hand, and will be happy to help you plan your route.

GPS Directions and Entry

GPS apps can be quirky. If the address in bold above comes up as being in Hastings-on-Hudson, that’s correct. The Lofts complex is on the border between Ardsley and Hastings., about 30 minutes north of Manhattan by car. As if it wasn’t complicated enough, there’s a second address for the building that you could try – 5 Mill River Lane.

The Lofts is located on Saw Mill River Road (west side), one mile south of the Lawrence Street exit off the Saw Mill River Parkway. Go to the northern building in the three building complex (the Lofts has red trim). Park anywhere in front of the buildings, or in the hidden lot on the southern end of the complex by the maintenance shack.

Hopefully the building door will be open. If not, type Beverly into the directory to reach me or call my cell 914-954-7779 so I can buzz you in. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.

.If you’re coming by train from Manhattan, take the Hudson Line of MetroNorth to the Hastings-on-Hudson train station. Grab a cab or Lyft to The Lofts at 423 Saw Mill River Road. Call me if you have questions.

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Please note: For those of you who have been coming to the Studio Tour in April for many years, Sunday hours end earlier at 3pm.

Feel free to contact me with any questions through email at beverlyshipko@mac.com or by cell at 914-954-7779. You can also reach me on Facebook (Beverly Shipko, Artist) and Instagram (@beverlyshipko).

2024 Studio Tour | Preview Shows

In addition to the main Tour weekend, there will be two preview shows. 

Sunday, October 20 from 3-5pm at Hastings Village Hall Gallery, 7 Maple Avenue (for artists from Hastings, Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley). I will have a painting in this show.

Sunday, October 27 from 3-5pm at Shames JCC, 371 S. Broadway (for artists from Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow)

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This is always a joyful event. It feels like a big celebratory party! Hope you can make it. Bring your family and friends. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to forward this invitation.

Finally, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you art lovers and foodies, and exchanging ideas. See you soon!