I just got a preview of this weekend’s free Hunter College MFA Open Studios, and it looks like it’s going to be fantastic. The program only recently moved to 205 Hudson (enter on Canal), and this will be its first open studio weekend in the new location. There will be 140 studios for people to peruse, along with group exhibitions in the gallery spaces and even performances. As is always the case with this type of event, part of the fun is not just seeing art and artists in their natural habitats, but interacting with the artists. The five I met this morning—courtesy of a tour by Janna Dyk—all discussed their work with insight and intelligence. Moreover, there will be a silent auction Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with artwork starting as low as $50.

The studios are open Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Go forth and buy!

Here are five artists, to give you but a sampling of what to expect….

Wei Xiaoguang

His paintings include notable art historians and theoreticians—and sometimes, himself.

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Jenna Westra

“The darkroom is an important part of what I’m doing—black-and-white, hand-processed photographs. We have a great darkroom and I’m the only person who uses it.” [Photo deleted at the artist’s request.]

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Leo Castaneda

His work bridges painting with virtual reality—I got a peek through his virtual-reality goggles (as you’ll be able to) and it was a trip.

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Chajana Denharder

“I use photography, performance, video, painting…. One of the reasons I decided to come to Hunter was because it was one of the only programs that was familiar with combined media.”

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Izabela Gola

Incorporating herself into the narrative, her video work merges post-war American popular culture (in this case, scenes from Otto Preminger’s 1944 film, Laura) with Eastern European folklore and mythology.

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