Artists in those Philly neighborhoods west of Broad Street are scrambling to tidy up their work spaces as they gear up to show off their studios in this weekend's Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) events.

Now in its 10th year, POST has more than 100 participating artists throughout the city and suburbs. For studio visitors, it's an opportunity to get an inside look into the arts community, removed from traditional settings such as museums and galleries. Artists see it as an opportunity to get exposure and community feedback.

Last weekend saw artists in neighborhoods east of Broad Street wrap up their tours, and this weekend will put a spotlight on neighborhoods ranging from Fairmount to East Falls and Manayunk.

More than 10 artists in the Fairmount area are inviting art enthusiasts into their studios - and sometimes homes - to get sneak peeks at what goes on behind the scenes. The Fairmount area provides a particularly interesting place to map your tour since there are so many art forms on hand - painting, printmaking, embroidery, photography, sculpture and more - within just a few blocks of one another.

"It helps me focus on my work. It gets me geared up to show my work," George Apotsos, a surrealist painter and sculptor, said of his reasons for opening up his home studio. He's lived in Fairmount for 21 years and has been a POST participant for the past three years.

For Apotsos, the interaction between the artist and those interested in his work is essential. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts graduate works primarily in paint, but has also worked in sculpture and installation. He draws inspiration from a variety of sources such as personal dream images, emotions and current events.

In his newest (unfinished) series of paintings, including New Chords, Apotsos pulled images from student drawings he saw while teaching painting and art at the Mural Arts and the Agnes Irwin School. It was the childlike drawings that inspired the seemingly unrelated elements Apotsos uses in the painting. Among the varied elements are dolphins, dancers and a dog.

By using his traditional approach of a slight current events edge, Apotsos makes sense of them.

"The randomness communicates with each other," he said.

Faced with some of Apotsos' work without context might be confusing for some. Sure, it's beautiful - but what does it all mean?

POST events take the guesswork out of understanding artwork, and many art-appreciators seek out the very intimate experience of having an artist, like Apotsos, directly on hand to discuss techniques and reasoning. Behind every work of art is a story, and with POST, visitors of the studios are taken directly into the processes that shape the outcome.

Lucy Oleksyuk, a clothing designer exhibiting new work at the Ukrainian League at 23rd and Brown streets with the other artists involved with Ukrainian Arts Philadelphia, participates in POST each year for the viewer feedback. Her collection is varied, showcasing both everyday and evening wear, and she specializes in using traditional Ukrainian folk art to create contemporary designs.

"When people see my work, they say they like it because it's so unique," Oleksyuk said of her exhibitions. For her, POST is a way to communicate with the public and find out what they like so that her work can represent and incorporate new fashions.

Whatever the reason for attending and participating, the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours removes the wall between artist and viewer. For some, the tours provide that extra insight so that the relationship between the artist and their work is a clearer, more relatable subject.

But if for nothing else, POST serves as a strong indicator of the vibrant the arts community in Fairmount.

For more information on POST and participating artists, visit www.philaopenstudios.com.¥¥

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