Two of Mississippi’s renowned artists, Jere Allen and Ron Dale, will open their studios to the public on Saturday, Dec. 7 for the annual Holiday Studio Tour.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the community is invited to explore the creative spaces of these accomplished artists, discover where their art comes to life, and engage in conversations about their work and process.

Visitors can enjoy free access to both studios, with artwork available for purchase.

“Making art is often a solitary process, and bringing people into the studio shares with them the energy we find in the space,” Allen said.

Allen, a celebrated painter, and Dale, a master potter, share a friendship and professional relationship that spans decades. Both artists have exhibited their work in major galleries, such as those in New Orleans, and are represented in museum collections. They’ve also shared the academic stage as educators at the same university, offering a mutual exchange of inspiration and technique over the years.

The tour highlights the contrasting yet equally captivating environments where these artists work. Allen’s studio, once secluded on a rural gravel road, is now surrounded by Oxford’s expanding urban landscape, offering a glimpse of how growth and art coexist. Dale’s pottery studio, by contrast, maintains a pastoral charm, opening onto serene green spaces that reflect the tranquility of his craft.