BRANDON — Oct. 3 and 4 is the weekend when artists in the Brandon area will open their studios for people to see how they work. Studios are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
The Brandon Artists Guild at 7 Center St. is a great place to start your tour. You can see what artwork the guild’s members have on display, then pick up local and state maps there and visit three local artists within walking distance of the gallery before traveling to artists further outside town.
Participating local artists include mixed-media artist Joan Curtis, whose sculptures, drawings and paintings can be described as “visionary”; Patty Sgrecci, whose kinetic sculpture and hanging mobiles are a wonder to behold; and Robin Kent, who makes wonderful, whimsical assemblages, in addition to paintings and sculpture.
Look for the iconic bright yellow “Open Studio” signs posted along the roads to guide visitors to the studios. 
Visitors and townspeople, old and young, enjoy making “harvest people,” also known as stick figures, scarecrows or leaf people. At Brandon’s annual fall HarvestFest on Sunday, Oct. 4, the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce will supply all materials, accessories, and instruction on how to make your very own harvest person.
This event, which will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at Central Park off Route 7 in downtown Brandon (in the Methodist church if it’s raining), is a great way for people to be creative and let imaginations run wild.
Event goers choose clothes, a hat, shoes, and embellishments to personalize their own “person.” Bring your own clothes or choose from an assortment provided by the chamber. Volunteers help with the finishing touches. The first “Harvest Person” per family is free of charge. After that, they are only $5 each.
Besides making harvest people, the event includes hayrides and pumpkins provided by the Harvest Program, delicious grilled food prepared by the Lions Club, Brandon Republicans’ famous apple pies, and coffee, cider and doughnuts offered by St. Mary’s Church.