The 2026 Open Studio Tours Artist Registration is currently open, and we want Tucson creatives to seize the opportunity. Opening your studio to the public can feel overwhelming, especially for emerging artists; that is why we sat down with Jeff Smith—a local photographer and previous OST participant—to share his experience with the tour, plus some pro tips just for you.
David Gaxiola (DG): How many years have you participated in OST, and what makes you want to come back?
Jeff Smith (JS): I really don’t know how many years I’ve participated in OST. I think it could be all of them!
I used to have a big studio Downtown and had many artists in there at once, which is always a great draw. Now I’ve built a container studio in my backyard, midtown, more focused, more intimate, a live/work environment.
What makes me come back to the OST? It’s being part of the community. It’s showing what you have to the immediate neighbors and the community in which you live. It’s opening up your process to others who might want to support you or learn from you. It’s a free opportunity to make a new friend and a sale!
DG: Has participating in Open Studio Tours boosted your exposure to new audiences or your sales?
JS: That’s a great question! I feel the OST has been a helpful tool to expose new people to my work over the years. I have met several people who have come to my open studio and talked to me about the process.
Several times, when I’ve been out in our community later, they’ve come up to me and introduced me to someone else they think might like my work. It is important to be part of our Tucson Open Studio Tours, and I appreciate our group effort to celebrate the diversity of our artists in our community.
Something interesting I find about sales during the Open Studio Tours is that I sometimes won’t make a sale on the tour date itself. What I’ve been told later is that the photograph will sit in a visitor’s mind for possibly two weeks. They then get back to you because they know where you’re at and have your information, letting you know that, indeed, they do want to purchase something because they keep seeing it in a particular room in their house.
DG: What piece of advice would you share with artists interested in participating this year?
JS: I’m not a big giver of advice normally to Artists unless you ask! You asked! OK, here goes!
Whether you’re young or old, been doing it forever, or just getting started. This is a great opportunity to show your vision. Whether it’s new or old, completely perfect, or just getting started, there’s room for all!
You could make a friend, you could make a sale, you could make someone laugh or cry, you could grow as a person and/or in your discipline. Take a chance on yourself and show what you’ve got. We all want to see it! But here’s the rub! Don’t just participate; go out and see other artists. Set up your hours so you at least look through who else is out there, you might be interested in, or that you can’t believe your luck to find and go see their artwork.
Tell them you’re also participating in OST, and they might wanna come see your work also!
Photos by Julius Schlosburg, jpopphoton.com