10th Annual Rural Artist Studio Tour
Visit area artists at their studios and host businesses during a casual self-guided tour on Saturday, May 4th from 10am-6pm. The FIRST “Rural Studio Tour” was held in May 2010. It was such a hit with both the artists and the people who attended that we are now gearing up for our 10th annual event! We’ve added some artists, plus a few scenic stops along the way.
Viewing an artist’s work, visiting with them and seeing where they create the work is a unique experience. The majority of the artists on the tour are full time artists, who show at art fairs and galleries around the country. Some also teach and host workshops. For most of us, May 4 will be the only day of the entire year when we invite the public in. The rest of the time, our studios are simply a place to create.
Adding to the enjoyment of the day, several of the studios will have demos and interactive art projects. Sue Davis and Steve Vachon will be doing “raku” firing demonstrations from 1-3pm, as long as the weather permits. Raku is a technique for firing pottery, in which the glowing orange pieces are taken out of the kiln at around 1800 degrees, then put in a reducing chamber to cool. Sue Davis will be painting 10:30-11:30 and 4-5pm. At Kristy Jo Beber’s pottery studio, demonstrations on the potter’s wheel will be happening most of the day. If you’ve never seen a pot made on the wheel, it can seem almost surreal how a lump of clay quickly transforms into a recognizable vessel form. At Diane Schafer-King’s studio, watch & learn about the ancient art of marbling! She will be demonstrating throughout the day, and you can even try it yourself for a small materials fee! At Natalie Drummond’s studio, watch & learn about weaving as select members of the Fort Wayne Weavers Guild demonstrate weaving on floor and table looms. And, new this year, 20 members of the Fort Wayne Artist Guild will be showing at Riverview Native Nursery and painting throughout the day.
This event is a great chance to support local artists. Some of the artists might even be your neighbors! Each studio will be open 10am-6pm on Saturday, May 4. It will be casual and self-guided, meaning people can visit as many studios and in any order as they wish and on their own time. It’s an amazing way to spend a day with your family or get a carload of friends together, have fun and be inspired.
We have a fan page where anyone interested can get updates & a map: www.facebook.com/ArtStudioTour. Printed maps are available at several local businesses, including The Orchard Gallery, Artlink, and Firefly in Fort Wayne, Catalpa Tree Shoppes in Grabill & Abode in Leo.
Artists are located on the north side Fort Wayne, Leo and Spencerville, Indiana. Riverview Native Nursery & Beside Still Waters Greenhouse are both hosting artists and you can shop for your Spring plants while visiting! And a bonus for the foodies out there: Head 2 Hock Food Truck will be serving during the lunch hour at The Art Farm!
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