Open studio tour features 74 artists

(FOX Providence) - The eighth annual South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour is coming up, and it's a chance to visit the studios of some of the best artists living, working and exhibiting in four beautiful coastal towns.

Kelly Milukas, President of The South Coast Artists and NiRoPe, Nick, Ron and Peter Cardi of Cardi's Furniture joined The Rhode Show to talk about this great series of events.

"That’s right, once again, this summer we’re proud to partner with the south coast artists open studio tour, which will showcase 74 exhibiting artists. It’s a great way to support local artists. If you come into any Cardi’s Furniture or Cardi’s Furniture Mattress location, you can pick up these great maps and even a family guide so you can get your kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews involved in the local art scene. Also in the guides, there is a food and drink section so you can stop and taste the local flavors as you make your trek. The first round is this weekend, July 16th & 17th, and in August, it’s the weekend of the 20th & 21st," said Nick Cardi.

There’s also something for the kids.

"When you come into Cardi’s to pick up your map, you’ll also be able to grab this family guide as well, and it’s a really great way to get the kids involved and started at a young age to support local artists. Inside there’s areas that challenge them to create their own artwork, asking questions that an artist may focus on as they create their work, and a lost art is map reading! We all have GPS now, but the maps that Kelly and her team have created are a fun way to teach the kids just how local these incredible resources are!" explained Ben DeCastro from Cardi's Furniture.

The self-guided tour will take you across small highways and rural byways of stunning natural beauty. Along the way you’ll discover the work of welcoming artists working in such diverse mediums as oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, sculpture, basketry, fiber arts, ceramics, glass, wood, metal, jewelry, paper and mixed media.

"There's going to be 74 artists on the tour in 45 locations over the two weekends. There are extraordinary studios on this tour, " said Kelly Milukas, President of The South Coast Artists.

One other form of art that Cardi’s supports is the Classic Car Cruises throughout the summer.

"Kelly and her team do a great job at promoting and preserving local arts, just like the good folks that bring their classic cars to our lots on the nights we host the cruises are true curators of incredible works of art. We get cars from the 1900’s right up through the 80’s and even today's remakes of some of the classics. If you check our website , we do them Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at different stores. And starting in August, the Monday night cruise moves to South Attleboro. It's free for everyone, so if you own a classic car or want to bring the family by to see the excitement, it’s a great time. We have music, food, and raffles to benefit local charities. All the details can be found on our website! " said Pete Cardi.