Marin Open Studios (MOS) turns 32 this year, an annual event that opens the doors of artists’ studios so visitors can enjoy local works up close. Marin Open Studios unfolds over two art-packed weekends — May 3–4 and May 10–11, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. — with more than 275 artists (including 60 first-timers) throwing open their doors from Sausalito to Novato. Now, the beloved county-wide art walk has partnered with Marin Magazine‘s sister website Local Getaways to offer a free, interactive trip-planning tool that puts every studio, café stop and scenic detour at your fingertips.
MOS: A Local Treasure
What began as a grass-roots way for painters, potters, photographers and sculptors to connect with neighbors has grown into a countywide celebration of creativity — and a chance to see works in the very spaces where they’re imagined. You can chat with an encaustic painter about wax technique one minute, then chat with a photographer about their printing process. Those personal encounters, plus the option to buy art directly from the maker, keep thousands returning each spring.
First Stop: The Preview Gallery
If visiting 275 studios sound daunting, warm up at the MOS Preview Gallery inside the Sausalito Center for the Arts (750 Bridgeway). Open April 25 – May 11 (closed Mon.–Tue.), the gallery hangs one piece from every participating artist — an ideal place to shortlist favorites before you hit the road.
Enter the Planner
To help you navigate the show, the Marin Open Studios Planner is also embedded within the free Local Getaways app, available for iOS and Android:
Key App Features
- Map-based browsing: Hide the list, tap the pins and zoom in from county, to city, to studio, to a single easel.
- Smart filters: Narrow choices by city, studio, medium, or by “Near Me,”. Find artists and the perfect place to grab a bite.
- Trip builder: Save artists and restaurants into shareable “Trips.” Rename, add notes—then text the link to friends.
- Sync on the go: Log in on the web and the mobile app to keep your saved itinerary in lockstep.
MOS Insider Tips
- Bike or car? The county is hilly, so if you plan to visit by bike, pick one area where there are large clusters of artists: Sausalito, San Rafael, San Anselmo, or Novato, for example.
- Pack layers and a tote. Marin weather can change from micro-climate to micro-climate, so always advantageous to layer up. And that watercolor you fall for will need carrying.
- Talk to the artists. Most are happy to discuss techniques, and some offer MOS-only pricing. Be sure to sign up for their email lists while visiting.
- Check in at studios. Click Check In from with in the app, to tell other app users as well as the artists, that you were there.
- Add a photo to an artist’s page. Snap a photo of your favorite artwork and upload it to an artist’s detail page, right inside the app.
