Studio Tour Orginators

In 1992, artists Marty Ray, Michael Obranovich and David Hickman organized and participated in the very first Artists’ Studio Tour in a neighborhood near White Rock Lake. Marty and Michael hatched up the idea to ask a few professional artists with studios close by to join them in having a one day Open Studio event. David was invited to participate and assist with organizing the event (originally called the East Dallas Artists’ Studio Tour). The mission that year and 20 years later is the same: To introduce the public to local artists and invite them to visit the unique spaces where art is created. All of the artists and their studios were within residential neighborhoods near White Rock Lake.

Seven studios were included the first year and 20 years later the event continues with 40 studios and 5 area Art Center/Schools. Marty, Michael and David have continued to open their studios each year for the history of the tour. With help of a steering committee of artists, Marty continues to coordinate the Tour. The White Rock Artists’ Studio Tour is considered a highlight activity for the arts community of Dallas.