Local Artists Open Their Doors to the Public It’s more than a gallery opening and bigger than most studio tours. It’s T.O.A.S.T., Tribeca Open Artists’ Studios Tour, in which 100 artists in the neighborhood open their studios to show their work. "What’s wonderful about this tour is that it’s not like going to a show," says Regina Silvers, an artist and one of T.O.A.S.T.’s founders. "You can speak to the artist surrounded by his body of work." C. J. Collins, an abstract painter who lives at 73 Leonard St., describes the visits as "wild" and "wonderful." Last year, she put out a couple of jugs of wine and pretzels. "It’s an alternative way to interact with your audience. Artists spend so much time in their solitary spaces." In addition to the 100 artists, 20 art spaces and galleries will participate and the work on display will include representational, expressionist and abstract art in all media, shapes and sizes. There is a special poignancy to this tour, said Silvers, because some artists have done work directly related to 9/11 and many others are reevaluating themselves and their work. "It will be interesting for people to talk to the artists about this issue," she noted. This year, T.O.A.S.T. was helped by the artists of Homer, Alaska, who held a silent auction of their work after September 11 to benefit New York artists. The proceeds were given to the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, which suggested a donation to T.O.A.S.T. Studios will be open Sat., April 27, Sun., April 28 and Mon., April 29 from 1 to 6 p.m. Admission is free. A slide show of artists’ work will be running continuously at Franklin Station Café, 222 West Broadway. For information, call 479-7322. To download a map, go to the T.O.A.S.T. website. Maps will be available at participating restaurants and galleries.