Studio Tours, Art to Feed the Soul

This time of year, Mother Nature isn't the only one out there creating works of art. The last weekend in September is the traditional date for the local Artists' Studio Tour. While some of the studios will be displaying only the work of that craftsperson, many of the local artists will share studio space, so you can see the works of several artists at one location. We have so many brilliant artists here in North Muskoka -- drawn by the beauty of the area.

That tradition dates back a very long way. Tom Thompson spent a lot of time in this area and in Algonquin Park. The Grand Duchess Olga of Russia spent time at a cottage just across from Bondi -- in fact, she spent a week here at Bondi in 1950. Rosemary described her as spending her time outside with her palette and canvas, creating pictures of small flowers. Regretably, none of them found their way onto our walls...

That can't be said for most of the current day artists up here. We have artwork created by our friends and neighbours, ranging from the fabulous life-size bronze sculpture of a red tail hawk in full flight created by Brenda Wainman Goulet (who also crafted the Tom Thompson statue in Huntsville), watercolours, acrylics, paintings on wood, carvings, glass work... There is truly something for everyone in the studios around the Lake of Bays.

You can join the tour at any studio, and pick up a map to the rest of the tour. There's no charge -- but be prepared to whip out your Visa when you see the art on offer.

This depiction of the Aurora Borealis is the work of Janet Stahle-Fraser, at Tapawingo Gallery in Baysville. Janet works in a wide variety of media, and Nancy has samples of her artwork dotted through her own house and the cottages. She has one of the studios you don't want to miss.




The painting on basswood of the heron is the work of Lynn Norris. Nancy has an owl painted by Lynn that sits in her office and watches her type. This heron is for sale at the Oxtongue Craft Cabin.

These are just two of the artists open for the tour. You should be there... the creative spirit is alive and well in Muskoka... and it will lift your spirits too!
The value of art in our lives cannot be overestimated. The thirteenth-century Persian poet Muslih-uddin Sadi counseled:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
And from thy slender store

Two loaves alone to thee are left
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul