As visitors streamed through her studio Sunday, Caren Frost Olmsted smiled excitedly and exclaimed, “How wonderful is this!” The ARTsee tour she and Bernardsville artist Gail Mardfin had been planning for more than a year — so others could visit and "see art" of the many artists in Bernards and Basking Ridge really happened on Sunday.

For a video and full photo gallery of the event, click here.

Olmsted’s studio above the garage of her South Maple Avenue home was one of the 16 stops on the inaugural ARTsee Open Studio Tour. Olmstead said she hopes other studio tours will follow in future years. The free-of-charge tour featured 24 area artists in their private studios and at Farmstead Arts center.

Rabbi Yizchok Moully also exhibited work at the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge.

About a year ago, Olmsted and Mardfin of began organizing local artists into a group they hoped would foster artistic expression, promote visual artists who live and work in the area and create art-based community events.

Olmsted, whose works include paintings and hand-painted instruments, recalls moving to Basking Ridge about four years ago and looking for the artistic community. She had grown up in Bernardsville, but said she had moved back to the area from North Carolina.

“Now,” she said, “I have 24 friends I didn’t have last year and we’ve created a big community event” — the ARTsee Open Studio Tour. “This allows people to see that artists live here and work here.”

Mardfin, an art teacher for 20 years who creates acrylic paintings, uplifting collages and inspirational photography, added, “The way the group has come together has been incredible.”

In addition to seeing local artists in their private studios, visitors were able to meet six artists-in-residence at Farmstead Arts, owned by the township, in an historic setting on King George Road. Frank Pietrucha, who works in watercolors and paper sculptures, agreed with Mardfin: “This group is incredible. We’re like family already.”

Of his work, he said, “I’m always amazed how much you can do with just three little elements (pigment, paper and water) and your imagination.”

Mahvash Saba, who displayed her fine art photography, said, “I love it. People are having fun and they’re curious and meeting us.”

Photographer Joanne Devine observed, “This has been very positive. A lot of people did not know we were here so this is really good. The place is being put to really good use.”

Basking Ridge resident Wendy Alonso was one of those who strolled from room to room at Farmstead. Alonso’s children take art classes at the site and she explained, “I love art. I’m always interested in local artists.”

Traveling through the region, tour participants were able to see a variety of media, including paintings, drawing, mixed media, jewelry, charcoal and fine art photography.

At the Chabad Jewish Center, Rabbi Yitzchok Moully talked to visitors about his “Pop Art” approach to Chassidic and Jewish art. Eve Biegel told Rabbi Moully, “It combines your two loves. Your art expresses that.”

Upcoming Farmstead Arts exhibits, tours and performances during 'Journey Through Past' Oct. 8 to 9

The Farmstead Arts center will also be the site of several activities during Somerset County’s “Weekend Journey through the Past” Oct. 8 to 9. The schedule includes:

• ARTsee Artists Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Tours of the Kennedy-Martin Stelle farmhouse and English-style barn 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Second annual Plein Air Event for artists during daylight hours Saturday and Sunday
• Pumpkin painting demonstration with Bernards Township artist Kristina Lloyd and Colonial games beginning at noon
• The Trilogy Repertory Company presents “The Abduction of Mary Lewis” in the farmhouse at 1 p.m.
• The Plum Run String Band performs acoustic American music from the 18th to 21st centuries from 2 to 4 p.m.

The site will also host the second Annual Antiques Alley 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, with Bernards Appraisal Associates’ chief appraiser Martine White and gemologist Lynn Tully. Cost is $20 for the first item and $5 for each additional item. Pre-register at www.farmsteadartscenter.org.