Limberlost Open Studio Weekend August 13 and 14
Limberlost Road should perhaps be renamed Artist Studio Road as it is home to several artists’ studios and a thriving arts community. Each year the area artists host the Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend. Over the course of 10 years, Artists of the Limberlost has presented more than 60 artists, and thousands of people have enjoyed the opportunity for a creative adventure exploring this little-known corner of Muskoka.
Studio-host artists
On the weekend of August 13 & 14 from 10 am to 5 pm, the public is invited to visit seven studios featuring 19 visual artists and fine craftspeople. This year’s studio hosts are bronze sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet, egg tempera painter Catherine O’Mara, woodturner Brian Markham, glass artist Susan Higgins, driftwood sculptor Jerry Friedman, acrylic painter Mark Kulas, and fibre artist Sandra Pim.
Guest artists
There are a number of new guest artists featured on this year’s tour. Peter Kourtz from Dorset constructs metal wind sculptures, painter Karen Leslie Hall from Toronto works in pastel, watercolour and acrylic. Daniel Gallant from Bracebridge will be showing his decorative sailboats made from driftwood and other natural materials, and two potters, Susan Colavecchia of Huntsville and Gina Denne from Severn Bridge will both be exhibiting their latest creations. Returning guest artists include watercolour painter Brad Wookey, weaver Marni Martin, photographer Don Spring, potters Dan Hill and Jessica Brabant, and jewellers Carol-Ann Michaelson and Danielle Goulet. Details and images of all the creative people participating in this year’s tour can be found at studio tour site – click here.
Local weaver Marni Martin is a guest artist this year. Photo by Kelly Holinshead
Celebrating 10 years with a chance to win
To celebrate 10 years, the Artists of the Limberlost is taking the opportunity to say “thanks” for the tremendous support they’ve had over the past decade. Every visitor on the tour will have the chance to win one of seven art prizes created by the host studio members. Visitors will pick up a “passport” at their first stop, then get it validated as they visit each studio. When the passport is complete, it is deposited at their final stop. The ballots will be combined and a winner will be drawn for each prize, after the tour ends.
The Limberlost Open Studio Weekend is a great chance to meet the artists
All in all, 2016 is a great year to re-acquaint yourself with the tour, or to experience it for the first time. Finding the studios is easy, as they are all within 20 km of each other, and there will be clear signage along the route on the tour weekend. The public is invited to meet the artists and learn a bit about how they create their work. Custom work by commission can be discussed and purchases may be made either during the tour, or on a return visit. The public is reminded that guest artists are only present during the Open Studio Weekend, but the host studios can be visited by calling ahead throughout the season. The website, artistsofthelimberlost.ca, has contact information on each studio page.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.
Thank you for this article. We all work hard to present a quality experience during the Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Weekend, and I am sure this article will motivate people to come out and see what’s new this year!