Erector Square Open Studios 2026 Showcases 120 Artists, Creatives Oct. 17, 18

NEW HAVEN, CT — As part of Open Studios 2026, 120 artists, designers, and craftspeople are set to be showcased in their studios at the Erector Square complex in New Haven later this month.

They will present their art, open their studio doors, and fill the hallways with their original works. Described as a "great opportunity for visitors to meet some of New Haven’s creatives," the Oct. 17 and 18 weekend event will be held at the Erector Square complex, 315 Peck St., from noon to 6 p.m. each day, according to organizers.

The weekend also features dozens of guest artists, family art-making, live entertainment, interactive events, local food trucks, and the popular ESOS scavenger hunt.

Events include:
• Family Art-Making with EcoWorks
• An Instrument Petting Zoo at Music Haven
• Japanese Crafts and a Beginner's Japanese Flower Arranging Workshop with Ikebana Master
Keiko Ishibe Sensei
• Interactive Collage Making with artist Marian Wittink
• Letterpress Demonstrations at Dexterity Press

And there's more:

Erector Square’s new gallery, Color Local, open since March this year, will hold a special Open Studios Group Show. After stepping down from day-to-day management of her textile company, ESOS artist Jenny Krauss has transformed her former workspace into Color Local – a fresh venue for Connecticut artists.

In addition, Music Haven is hosting a Wellness Concert with movement and sound healing led by Elizabeth Voytershark, and live classical music performed by Linda Numagami on viola and Jacob Wang on piano. Three local bands — Greylily, Hard March, and Farview — will perform at Bregamo’s Theater.

This will be the fourth artist-led Open Studios, a group effort led by Eric March and Niko Scharer, working with many other Erector Square artists, including Jenny Krauss, Martha Willette
Lewis, Liese Klein, Oi Fortin, Karen Hibbs, Jihyun Lee and many others. Maxim Schmidt (from the Institute Library) is once again organizing a wonderful group of volunteers to help visitors find their way around the eight buildings of the Erector Square complex.

Most ESOS studios are only open to the public during this annual event, so it’s a "rare chance to get to know fascinating local talent, see how their art is made, and purchase unique artwork, jewelry, and handicrafts," organizers said.

Part of Open Studios New Haven, Erector Square Open
Studios 2026 is free and open to everyone.

For more information, visit erectorsquarestudios.com.