Both residents and tourists alike will receive a window into the world of local artists during Powell River’s eighth annual Studio Tour, held from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday, August 25 and 26.
This year, the self-guided tour features 21 locations from Lang Bay to Lund, with many featuring multiple artists. Mediums range from pottery to printmaking to painting, with everything in between.
“The goal is so local artists have the means to showcase their work and how they do it,” explained tour founder and well-known local artist Alfred Muma.
Since the tour is self-guided, participants can visit a few select studios or all the locations in an area. Though it varies, this year locations are concentrated south of town.
Signs with the Powell River Studio Tour logo will show the location of the studios, as well as directions from the highway if the location is hard to find. Maps and a guide to the studios are also provided both online and at various locations around town, including Artique Artists’ Cooperative and Tourism Powell River.
The tour is free, but artists at each location will be selling their wares. “It gives you the opportunity to purchase artwork directly from the artist,” explained Muma. “There’ll be a wide range. For example, I’ve got fridge magnets, art cards, and original prints and paintings.”
Though artists and locations in the tour vary every year, some have remained the same. Jan Lovewell and Ron Robb of Rare Earth Pottery, and Gina Page of Seawrack Press, said Muma, have been in the tour for all eight years.
On the other hand, new this year is Mud in the Sticks, a group of seven artists ranging from puddlers to potters who meet at Kelly Creek Elementary School. Also new is the workshop of Jamie MacDonald, who builds wooden bows and natural arrows.
Besides showcasing local artists to both the community and visitors, the tour has other uses as well. “It’s a great way for brand new artists to be introduced to the community,” said Muma. Often, new-to-town artists will participate in the tour one year, then set up a location for it the next, he added.
For the last two years, the tour has attracted upward of 400 people, including visitors from as far away as Washington, Alaska and even Europe. “I set [the tour] up to draw people to Powell River because of our artists’ community here,” said Muma, “and it’s been growing every year, despite the recession.”
In the end, Muma said he wants the event to show that a person doesn’t have to leave Powell River to buy well-made art. “Hopefully what this [tour] does,” he explained, “is make people realize they don’t have to go to Vancouver to buy real art.” Real art, as shown by the tour, is in the community’s own backyard.
For more information, readers can pick up one of the many brochures around town or online.
