ICYMI: Making the Most of Studio Visits

With Fountainhead Residency & Studios' county-wide Artists Open program creating an opportunity for public access to over 250 artists' studios on May 8, Commissioner collaborated with the event organizers in a session titled Studio Visits 101.

Artists Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova and Frances Trombly of Dimensions Variable chatted with Fountainhead trustee and collector Teresa Enriquez to share insights on etiquette, conversation starters and preparation. Here, a few takeaways to keep in mind, applicable to any studio visit with an artist:

  • A visit to an artist’s studio is like an invitation to someone’s home. That means no texting, no phone calls. Respect the space you’re in and focus.

  • Do your research. Before you visit, learn more about the artist, their medium and perhaps even their influences... Just don’t overdo it. Staying open is key.

  • Be prepared for a dialogue, but don’t be afraid of an awkward moment. If you’re meeting an artist for the time, the conversation can stall—and that’s okay. Enjoy the silence as an opportunity to digest the work.

  • If you want to buy a work, ask the artist “what is the best way for me to go about collecting a piece?” If they have representation, request the contact. If they don’t, inquire about a price list and what works may be available.

Watch the recording of Studio Visits 101 to learn more specifics and tips from Frances, Leyden and Teresa.

Learn more about Fountainhead’s Artists Open on May 8, 2021 from 11 AM to 6 PM.

Cover image of Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova and Frances Trombly of Dimensions Variable in Modern Luxury Miami Magazine.

Joanna Davila