For the last two years, artists in Boyle and Mercer counties have opened their studios up for free to the public for an entire weekend and called it ARTTOUR. This year, the event has grown to include seven artists’ studios, two arts centers, food and lodging.
I’ve been speaking a lot to fiber artist Fox Hutt lately, owner of Lacetree Weaving in Perryville and one of the coordinators the event. She says that the annual event is a great way for local artists to showcase their work and meet people who aren’t familiar with them or their art form.
“I have loved opening my studio the past several years during the first weekend in November,” says Fox. “It is a chance to meet new people from far and wide, and to see good friends, too. It has been a wonderful way for visitors to get up close and personal with my artwork and my work environment. I have found people to be very interested in seeing a demonstration of my weaving and many of the locations will have demonstrations. Each year more and more studios have joined us and I’m excited that this year we will have art centers, lodging and dining on the ARTTOUR, as well.”
Here at the Community Arts Center, several of Danville’s Gathering Artists will be demonstrating throughout both days. Here’s the schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 2
10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hallie Brunson* – palette knife demonstration and perhaps some ornament making, too!
Bobbie Gayle Lewis* – acrylic landscapes
Pennie Tharp* – acrylic greeting cards/pottery wheel
1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
David Cornwell* – wood carving
Nancy Martindale* – handmade felt (P.S. – you can learn more about handmade felt and register for Nancy’s next felt class here!)
Tom O’Brien* – pottery wheel
Deb Thelen – beading gourds
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Cardinal Bliss by Kathleen O’Brien – she’s just
one of the many artists whose studios will be open this weekend on the ARTTOUR |
Sunday, Nov. 3
Sunday – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Marlene Martin* – quilting
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Donna Forgacs* – oil painting
Geri Trinler* – photography or jewelry
Paula Whitaker – stained glass or mosaic (Paula is also one of our Starry Night Studio instructors and the Munchkin & Me teacher!)
As always, you can check out the studio of our artist in residence, Mark Wilhelm, to see what he’s been working on lately. (Hint: His creations involve a lot of repurposed sculptures from every day materials!)
For more info on the 3rd Annual ARTTOUR, check out their Facebook page and the info page on Kathleen O’Brien’s website.
*Works by these artists are also on exhibit now in Main Street Illustrated: A Collaborative Exhibit by Gathering Artists here at the Arts Center through Friday, Nov. 15!
