Nancye Tuttle writes about this weekend’s Lowell Open Studios art extravaganza. Besides checking out Open Studios, be sure to visit Nancye’s blog, as well:

Arts abound

This is the weekend for artists and art lovers in Lowell with the 10th annual Lowell Open Studios taking place both Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Where to begin? That’s hard to say, since there are over 120 artists, plus Lowell’s major museums and galleries participating. Here are a few places I suggest you don’t miss.

Western Avenue Studios is a warren of activity with half of its 200 artists participating – and I wager a bet that the others will throw open their doors for a piece of the action when the weekend rolls around. I stopped by Mark Fisher’s nifty space the other day, and you won’t want to miss it. He’s created innovative sculpture from found pieces. And they are reminiscent of the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz fame. He calls these pieces his Metal Men and they each seem to have a distinct personality. Fun and funky, to be sure. Also observe his graphic designs, some of which he’s made for Antiques Road Show on PBS. I’d love posters of all this art to hang on my walls.

Also don’t miss the interesting glass studios popping up at WAS or the photographers, including Meghan Moore at Mexpix, who will be doing her painless sitttings on Sunday, complete with make-up advice from a Saks Fifth Avenue pro. Fun and painless, for sure.

Also visit Ashlee Welz Smith, Jay Hungate, Bill Bradbury, Don Sullivan, Friends Fabric Art, John Cascio, all among my favorites at WAS. The Space is open both days for lunch and snacks, yummy!

Downtown bustles, too, with long-time Lowell artist Janet Lambert Moore showing her work at the Whistler House Museum of Art. Also visit the Brush with its resident artists. And sculptor Patrick Pierce re-opens his studio on Market Street for the first time in a couple of years.

There’s a block party at the Brush on Saturday evening, plus brunch there on Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. so you can munch and browse. Lowell’s restaurants are open and the vibes should be positive, fun and definitely artsy.

Shuttles run between the National Park Visitors Center on Market Street and Western Ave. Studios. Check out my story in the Sun’s Steppin Out on Thursday or visit www.lowellopenstudios.org.