Find art behind every door
The Kawartha Autum Studio Tour returns this weekend, with visits to a wide range of artists
I think sometimes people think studio tour is only about landscape painting, but it’s not,” Jane Wild
Handpicked local artists are opening their studio doors this weekend for the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour.
The juried show runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are 39 stops on this year’s tour, with 41 artists overall.
Studios and galleries span from McCrackens Landing to Baileboro and Warsaw to Millbrook.
There’s a variety of work to check out including fine arts, ceramics, glass, jewellery, sculpture, photography, film, wood and fibre.
If you’re not sure where to start, Jane Wild, Art Gallery of Peterborough education program co-ordinator, suggests dropping by the gallery.
As the host of the event, the gallery has a sampler of what’s in store, showcasing a piece from each artist on the tour.
After choosing your favourites, Wild recommends mapping out a route of studios and galleries to visit.
Brochures pinpointing locations are available at the gallery as well as at artist’s studios.
This year, there are three locations that have two artists in one space – that’s a first for the 33-yearold event.
Douro couple Sandy MacFarlene and Rob Niezen have a joint studio on Douro’s 2nd Line, where MacFarlene shows her fine jewellery and Niezen has his oil paintings and printmaking.
Corina Keifert Chester and Paul Chester also share a space in Keene. Keifert Chester makes gelatin plate monotype printmaking and Chester does oil paintings.
And friends Christianna Ferguson and Rowena Dykins share a studio in Lakefield. Ferguson makes textiles and Dykins paints with acrylics.
It’s Dykins first year on the tour and Wild is thrilled she’s taking part.
“It’s quite exciting to have Rowena join us for the studio tour,” said Wild, adding that her work is part of the gallery’s permanent collection.
Wild is also pleased to welcome Rebecca Pagett this year.
Like Dykins, Pagett is also an abstract painter. Yet people don’t often expect to see abstract paintings on a studio tour.
“I think sometimes people think studio tour is only about landscape painting, but it’s not,” Wild said.
Pagett is taking over a whole barn in the countryside for the event, converting it into a gallery.
While the tour is a great way to visit the artists you already know and admire, Wild said it’s also a chance to discover new talent.
“You may just find something that may be a real gem for you,” she said.
For more information, visit the Peterborough Art Gallery’s website at www.agp.on.ca