For one weekend this fall, visitors will have the chance to step inside the creative world of Holliston Mill Studios, where artists and artisans will open their studios for the annual Holliston Mill Open Studios event on Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8.

The annual Open Studios event has grown into both an art show and a community gathering, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore three floors of the historic mill, see where local artists work and experience their creative processes firsthand. Guests can meet artists in their working spaces, browse paintings, photography, writing, crafts and other original works, listen to live music, and enjoy food and refreshments while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the creative community inside the mill.

For those inspired by what they see, the event also offers the chance to take home an original piece of art while directly supporting the artists who created it. “Having original art in your home is a mindful and personal experience,” says artist and event organizer Chryso Lawless.

For Lawless and many of the artists at Mill Studios, Open Studios is about far more than selling artwork. It is an opportunity to open their creative spaces to the community, share the stories and processes behind their work, and show that a vibrant arts community is thriving within the historic mill. By welcoming visitors into their studios, the artists hope not only to connect people with their work, but also to inspire others to explore and pursue their own creativity.

“You can see that it helps encourage others to go forward and keep doing it,” says event organizer and photographer Denise Kopko. 

Kopko says visitors don’t need an art degree, or even much knowledge about art, to enjoy the weekend, pointing to herself as an example. She is not traditionally trained in a wide range of art forms, but believes that simply being curious is enough to start a conversation and a love for art. 

“It eases the conversation when you get people to talk freely about their work. People become engaged with the artists,” Kopko said.

According to Kopko, that personal connection can change the way people experience art, which is why event organizers especially encourage families to attend. “It is an opportunity to introduce children to art” Lawless says. 

Last year, children had the opportunity to participate in a collective art wall, and some artists, such as Beverly Nunes Ramsay, have historically given children an opportunity to engage with art in a hands-on way.

The weekend will also feature live music both days, adding another layer to the already lively atmosphere. Food and refreshments will be part of the experience as well, with artists traditionally offering treats to visitors. Organizers are also working on additional food and beverage offerings, with Crafted and Black Harp involved and Goldie’s Bakery of Franklin expected on Sunday.

Visitors can expect to encounter everything from photography and watercolor to oil painting, acrylics, clay, jewelry making, sculpture, children’s book illustration, and culinary arts. The artists work in abstract and representational styles, with subjects and inspirations as varied as the artists themselves.

“The incredible diversity of mediums, subjects, and inspirations that artists possess” may be one of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors, Lawless said.

This year’s event will also introduce visitors to new members of the Mill Studios community, including a children’s book author and illustrator. The addition of new artists brings fresh perspectives to a longstanding community of artists and creatives.

Longtime members of the studios have watched the building change along with the artist roster. Arlene Chaplin, who has been at the Mill for more than 25 years, recalls of the earlier days, “The windows were broken, but I felt like I was a famous artist like Matisse.”

Today, artists credit new ownership and the Mill’s current leadership with supporting the creative community and maintaining a place where artists can work, and the public can be invited in to experience their work firsthand.

Open Studios also gives visitors a glimpse of the deeply personal connection artists have with their work. Kopko recalls a moment when an artist sold a large piece she was particularly attached to, hugging the artwork and becoming emotional as she said goodbye. Moments like that illustrate not simply an appreciation for art, but a connection to the people who create it.

The artists would like to build on that connection in the years ahead, with hopes for more exhibitions and public programming, including smaller, more casual events and possibly juried shows. Time and funding remain challenges. Artists volunteer their time, while donations help cover expenses. 

For now, however, the focus is on November.

Holliston Mill Open Studios will take place at 24 Water Street on Nov. 7–8, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome.

A community member enjoys a mosaic display at the 2025 Holliston Mill Open Studios. Photo by Jessica Ommen