The work of more than 30 artists and craftspeople will be on display next weekend — along with the fall colours — as part of the annual Images Studio Tour.
This year will mark the 37th anniversary of the tour, with last year being the first year the tour had been cancelled, said Barrie-based potter Peter Michalski, one of the artists participating in the self-guided, artist-run event.
Scheduled to run from Oct. 8 to 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the tour will feature a variety of different styles of artists from painters, sculptures, jewellers and potters to mixed-media artists as well as a few woodworkers.
“It’s a nice variety of different works through 20 different stops. This year, we’ve tried to spread them out a little bit," Michalski tells BarrieToday. "Usually, we try to compact the tour so people can see three or four artists at one stop, but this year due to COVID we have expanded it a little bit."
There will also be stops at two community halls and the Leacock Museum in Orillia.
“Many of the stops… are the artists' studios, so you get to see where they work, meet the artist and obviously see the work that’s for sale," he says.
The time of year also makes for a great opportunity to take advantage of the local scenery by getting out and enjoying the fall colours.
“It’s a beautiful drive between Moonstone, Horseshoe Valley, Orillia and then down to the Shanty Bay area,” Michalski says.
From an artist’s perspective, the tour is a lot of fun, Michalski says.
“I like it because the people that go on the tour are very interested in the work. I am able to make a connection with the people who appreciate my work, and they’re able to connect with me,’ he says. “That’s the biggest difference between this type of event and just seeing a piece of artwork when the artist isn’t present. It’s a bit more interesting.
"They can ask you about how you make things, or why, or what inspired me to craft these items. For myself, as an artist it’s such a great show because you get to meet the people that appreciate art and it’s wonderful to get to connect with people. Most of the time I am locked in a basement doing and enjoying making my pottery, but it’s nice to get out and meet people.”
A map and a digital copy of the brochure — which includes artist biographies — can be found by clicking here, however printed copies of the brochures are also available at Nicholyn Farms, Ego's Garden Centre, Barrie City Hall, Mariposa Market, and the Barrie Tourism Office.
