Twelve-hour-plus days are the norm for Carmel artist Wendy Franklin as she prepares for her ninth Stutz Open House.
“it’s my busiest, craziest, most chaotic time of the year,” Franklin said. “It’s also my favorite time of the year. It’s a lot of hours. Twelve hours is my short day. I’m down here usually seven days a week just trying to get everything ready and cleaned. It is deadline-driven in that you feel like you have one big chance all year to show what you got.”
The Stutz Open House is from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. April 26 and 2 to 7 p.m. April 27 at the Stutz Business and Arts Center, 1050 N. Capital Ave., Indianapolis.
“When the doors open (April 26) we start packing the studio with people,” Franklin said. “It’s worth it every time. There’s great energy and a great crowd. It’s unique in that you can come to one place indoors to see that many artists exhibiting on their home court.”
An estimated 6,000 people will visit the open house.
Franklin moved into her Stutz studio eight years ago.
“I think it’s one of the best incubators for artists in the city because it gives you a good place to work and a really strong community of fellow artists,” Franklin said. “It’s a really gracious and helpful community of artists. Everyone is willing to help each other out, share resources, share ideas, share constructive criticism. We also have a big number of more typical companies in the building, which just gives the whole building a nice balance.”
Franklin’s specialty is fiber and mixed media. Her work will be on display
“I sell primarily to collectors and am also represented by about eight galleries around the U.S.,” Franklin said. “I sell artwork to be used in corporate settings.”
For more information and tickets, visit stutzartists.com. For more on Franklin, visit wendyfranklinart.com/artist/.
