T.O.A.S.T. Of The Town By: Brett Singer Regina Silvers would like to invite you to see her artwork. But not at a gallery – in her own studio. T.O.A.S.T. (TriBeca Open Artist Studio Tour) is a four-year-old event that offers artists and potential patrons an opportunity to connect in the best possible setting – where the artist does his or her creating. The best part – looking is 100% free. This year’s Tour will take place on Saturday April 24, Sunday April 25 and Monday April 26, from 1 pm to 6 pm each day. T.O.A.S.T. began four years ago as an outgrowth of FranklinFest, which at the time had also been around for four years. When the founder, Alicia Torres, passed away, the artists decided that the event should continue and increase in scope. “We felt the Art Walk needed an input of energy,” said Silvers, a painter and volunteer who is President of T.O.A.S.T. “We changed the name to reflect that the Walk happens all over Tribeca.” They also changed the timing (FranklinFest was in the Fall), and invited more artists to participate. This year, more than 100 artists’ work will be available for public viewing, most of it in their own studios (some galleries are on the tour as well). Artists can expect at least a couple hundred people to enter their space. “T.O.A.S.T. is a great opportunity for people see art where it is being made,” said Silvers, a painter with studio space at 50 White Stree, allowing the public to interact with the artists. This year, Broadway director and choreographer Tommy Tune will add a little star-power when he shows off his paintings at 368 Broadway. Another T.O.A.S.T artist, Debra Lee Murrow, is no stranger to sharing her work with outsiders. Murrow’s work – which can be seen in her studio at 41 River Terrace – comprises primarily pen and ink drawings, although her materials vary because she allows others to add to her pieces. Starting with what she calls “positive word canvases” (the words are from the Bible), Murrow creates a drawing and then others, artists or not, create over it. “I help them meditate on scripture,” she said. “People use Craypas, oil sticks, glitter glue − if the work is on paper, they can do even more.” Murrow began participating in the Tour three years ago. With so much work to see, how can anyone decide where to start? “It’s a good idea to start where there are a lot of dots on the map,” suggested Murrow. (Her own studio is the far edge of the walk, which runs from just above Canal Street to Murray Street and Washington Street to Lafayette Street.) The Tour website, www.toastartwalk.com, is also a useful place to start; the site also has a printable copy of the tour map. Does T.O.A.S.T. bring people to TriBeca who might otherwise not venture below 14th Street? “Definitely,” said Silvers. The map is distributed in hotels around the city, attracting tourists as well as residents. There has also been substantial growth: Four years ago 300 people visited Silvers' studio during the Walk. Last year over 1,000 stopped by. ** * ** T.O.A.S.T. – TriBeca Open Artist Studio Tour Various locations downtown Saturday April 24, Sunday April 25 and Monday April 26, 2004 1pm to 6pm each day Free Info: www.toastartwalk.com, (212) 479-7323 Brett Singer is a freelance writer and consultant living and working in New York City. He goes downtown as often as possible because the food is better. back to writing samples