Over the last 30 years, Newton Open Studios (NOS) has grown from 28 participating artists to 110 exhibiting and selling their original pieces over the May 30-31 weekend throughout the city.
The organization is “a nonprofit arts initiative dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between artists and the public,” according to NOS. “Our mission is realized primarily through an annual, two-day open studios event that enables artists and makers to showcase and sell their work, build professional visibility, and engage directly with audiences.”
Throughout the weekend, the creators sold items ranging from paintings, intricate drawings, and abstract prints to hand-dyed textiles, ceramic sculptures and dishware, and colorful books and more.
Art enthusiasts and shoppers could follow a map to visit many artists in various group locations like Newton South High School and the New Art Center, as well as personal studios and local businesses highlighting one or a few creators.
The Artisans at 72 Columbus
Newton resident Aisling Colleary, owner of Horizon Line Ceramics, sold her handmade goods as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (The Woman’s Club Workshop). (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Ariel Kessler, a mixed-media artist, sold her handmade works as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (The Woman’s Club Workshop). (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Hilary Hanson Bruel, a mixed-media and encaustic painting artist, sold her handmade pieces as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (The Woman’s Club Workshop). (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Emily Williams, owner of Em Williams Fiber, sold her handmade pieces as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (The Woman’s Club Workshop). (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Jennifer Yogel, owner of Local Color Jewelry, sold her handmade pieces as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (The Woman’s Club Workshop). (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Newton resident Aisling Colleary, owner of Horizon Line Ceramics, sold her handmade pieces as part of the Artisans at 72 Columbus (the address of The Woman’s Club Workshop in Newton Highlands).
Taking part in NOS on-and-off for the past 15 years, Colleary displayed her handmade vases and pots, including miniature vessels hanging from string.
At a nearby table, Needham resident Hilary Hanson Bruel discussed how she produces her encaustic paintings.
“Encaustic is an ancient painting method in which wax and pigment are fused onto a surface with heat,” according to the Royal Academy of Arts.
Bruel, a former board member of the Newton Art Association, said that after taking encaustic painting classes at the New Art Center, she fell in love with the process, set up her own studio, and has been showing her work since 2018.
New Art Center
Newton resident and textile artist Kim Spencer, owner of Hold, sold her handmade goods during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Lisa Sazer, painter and collage artist, sold her handmade works during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Diana Bailey sold her handmade drawings during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Left, Gail Hansen spoke with customer Happy Farrow about her handmade books during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Arlene Bandes sold her handmade monotypes during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Martha Doolin sold her original paintings during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Sarah Kahn sold her handmade pieces during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Zahirah Nur Truth sold her handmade works during Newton Open Studios, inside the New Art Center. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
Several former art teachers also participated in NOS and displayed their works at the New Art Center, including Zahirah Nur Truth and Newton resident Arlene Bandes, who sold her handmade monotypes.
According to MOMA, a monotype is a “unique print, typically painterly in effect, made by applying paint or printing ink to a flat sheet of metal, glass, or plastic.”
In addition to monotypes, shoppers and art lovers could check out the joyful block prints made by Needham resident Anne E. G. Nydam and displayed at Newton South High School.
Newton South High School
Evelina Brozgul sold her original paintings during Newton Open Studios, inside Newton South High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Conor Plunkett sold his original drawings during Newton Open Studios, inside Newton South High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Anne E. G. Nydam sold her handmade block prints and books during Newton Open Studios, inside Newton South High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Suzanne Watzman, owner of Tamaryn Design, sold her textiles during Newton Open Studios, inside Newton South High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Newton resident Gabriel Polonsky sold original works that he and his parents created during Newton Open Studios, inside Newton South High School. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
From smiling fairies and delicate plants, to old-fashioned cars and spunky animals, Nydam’s prints, some of which she turned into cards, were appealing to many ages.
Near her stall, the mostly black-and-white, pen-and-ink drawings of artist Conor Plunkett stood out. The Boston-centric images of familiar buildings, bridges, and other locations are reminiscent of M.C. Escher’s style, with an impressive depth of detail.
Plunkett was delighted to have sold his most recent original work, which focused on a classic Boston/Cambridge scene – the “Storrowing” of a semi tractor-trailer getting stuck under a bridge over Storrow Drive.
All participating artists are featured on the Newton Open Studios website.