Silicon Valley
Open Studios
Takes place annually in May
Silicon Valley Open Studios (SVOS) is a free art exhibition that occurs the first three weekends in May across cities from South San Francisco to Gilroy as well as cities along the Pacific Coast. It is one of the largest fine art shows open to the public in the Bay Area, featuring over 300 local artists.
The artwork on display at SVOS is spectacular and diverse. Every visual art medium is represented: watercolor, sculpture, jewelry, photography, woodworking, mixed media, pastels, pottery, metalwork, and more. Additionally, the work features established, award-winning artists as well as new artists exhibiting for the first time.
The opportunity to talk with the artists is what makes Silicon Valley Open Studios so special. This premier art show attracts discerning art collectors, art lovers and others who enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists in their studios or galleries. As a behind-the-scenes experience, SVOS offers fascinating insights into what inspires each artist to create their work, plus deepens one’s understanding of each artist’s vision. SVOS also has an online art gallery of all participating artists, so visitors can view their favorite art and reach out to artists to purchase their artwork. Start by looking at svos.org to see the artist gallery along with each artist’s profile and contact information.
Interested in exhibiting? Registration for the May event starts in December. See svos.org/register for more details about SVVA membership and exhibiting in Silicon Valley Open Studios.
Can’t exhibit in May? Silicon Valley Visual Arts also invites you to join as a member to access other member-only events that go on throughout the year, including smaller exhibits, social events, and artist-focused training. Join SVVA any time of year to start participating in the local art community. See svos.org/register for more details.
Other ways to support arts in the community. Consider being a sponsor or a volunteer.
Artist Benefits
- Non-juried Show – Silicon Valley Open Studios is open to all visual artists without a limit on the number of pieces they can show. It’s a great opportunity to talk with visitors about your work so you can share your vision and understand better what your target market is seeking.
- Printed Artist Directory –SVVA prints a full-color artist directory with exhibit locations for your visitors. They’re free to the public and distributed at many points throughout the Bay Area.
- Your Year-Round Online Gallery – Each artist can display a limited number of images along with an artist statement, a profile image and contact information.
- Group Sites Options – You can show with other artists. Group sites attract more visitors and let you show in a different place each weekend. SVOS can help you find available group sites if you register early enough.
- Pre-show Exhibition – Whenever possible we have preview exhibits in public places, galleries and other community locations. These are used to promote Silicon Valley Open Studios by showing samples of the great art that can be seen during the event.
- Tips to Prepare for a Successful Event – Participating artists receive tips on how to market, prepare the studio, and use social media to promote the event. Get tips and advice from experienced artists and marketers about how to get the most from your open studios experience.
We Need Your Help!
Silicon Valley Visual Arts is a volunteer run organization and we need YOUR help to continue to offer Open Studios each year. We ask participating artists to commit to helping at some level to make this event the best that it can be.
Without more volunteers, we may not be able to continue to offer this event. Please make a selection during registration in an area that you can help, check out more options below or send us an e-mail to volunteer@svos.org.