Jersey City Artists Studio Tour set for this weekend

JERSEY CITY (WABC) -- The general public will get an inside look at art studios, as part of a big event this weekend in Jersey City.[br /][br /]The annual studio tour event attracts thousands of people.[br /][br /]Often when you see art at galleries, you don't get to meet the artist, but at this event much of the art will be shown in the artists' own homes and studios.[br /][br /]It's an intimate way to connect to art and it's happening in Jersey City.[br /][br /]"I'm combining commercial art background and knowledge with fine art studies to produce this pop art style of work," said artist Robert Piersanti.[br /][br /]He is a profilic artist who lives and works in Jersey City and this weekend you'll be able to go behind the scenes into his studio loft.[br /][br /]"The main subjects of my paintings, my pop art style paintings are local people. I love to do stuff to get the community involved," said Piersanti.[br /][br /]"I just let the paint sort of go where it wants to go," said Reine de Blanc, who only moved to Jersey City a couple of years ago and it's already been good for her work.[br /][br /]"Since I moved to Jersey City I've been doing such a huge volume of work in collage and painting and drawing and jewelry," she said.[br /][br /]She too is participating in the 24th annual Jersey City art and studio tour.[br /][br /]"It's a big chance to share it with people because it's always just in my apartment hanging so it's kind of cool," said de Blanc.[br /][br /]Galleries throughout Jersey City will be open both Saturday and Sunday.[br /][br /]There will also be art in public spaces, all celebrating the fact that Jersey City has a thriving artists community. [br /][br /]"Jersey City is lucky to have such a strong, growing arts community. It's based on the proximity to New York, it's an easy place to live and work and we're going to highlight that this weekend," said Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.[br /][br /]And shining a light on artists can go a long way, and they're all trying to making a living through their art. [br /][br /]"It's nice to have people appreciate your work so yeah I would love to sell," said de Blanc.[br /][br /]"It's my main source of income so I'm anxious to sell, always anxious to sell a piece. I'm not fond of any piece in particular because I produce so much work so I would rather have it in other people's businesses and homes so that everybody can enjoy it. It's made to see," said Piersanti.[br /][br /]And there will be plenty of art buying, but also lots of affordable art. The artists we interviewed both sell their pieces for hundreds of dollars, not thousands.[br /][br /]Click here for more information: [url HREF="http://www.Thejcast.com" TARGET="http://www.Thejcast.com" REL="http://www.Thejcast.com[br /]"]http://www.Thejcast.com[br /][/url][br /][br /][br /]