Monday, October 19, 2015

Thank You!


The big October Studio Tour/Art weekend event - the Artisans Road Trip, is a little over a week past and what a great weekend it was!

All of the artists of the 2015 Artisans Road Trip would like to take this time to put out a big THANK YOU!!!  Thank you to everyone who visited our studios or exhibit spaces, who put the word out to their friends and neighbors and who support the arts in NW Iowa!

Remember - the Artisans Road Trip also continues throughout the year with it's exhibits at galleries and art spaces around the region!  A.R.T. currently has two exhibits ongoing - one at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa and another at the Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa!  More exhibits coming in the month ahead as well!

Thank you once again and we hope to see you at future events!





Tuesday, October 6, 2015

2015 Artisans Road Trip This weekend!!!


This is the big weekend!

Not one, but three venues!

Northwest Iowa's Artisans Road Trip members invite you to attend the 12th annual open studio tour on Saturday, October 10th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 11th from noon until 5 p.m.

Along with the open studio tour, everyone is encouraged to see and purchase original art at the two collective (group) shows sponsored by Arts on Grand and Pearson Lakes Art Center. "There will be one or two pieces from almost all of the artists," explains chairperson, Tim McIlrath.  It's impressive to see the range, quality and diversity of each artist's work and as a collective group."

Events and Dates:
Artisans Road Trip's Open Studio Tour: October 10 – 11, 2015
Arts On Grand, Spencer IA: September 29 to October 31, 2015
Pearson Lakes Art Center, Spirit Lake IA: October 8 to December 31, 2015



"Planning your personal A.R.T. tour is easy."

To learn all about the 2015 Artisans Road Trip, preview artists' work and begin planning your personal tour we encourage you to use these tools:
1. BROCHURE: You can find brochures at local art centers, participating artist locations, banks, libraries and gathering places in your community.
2. WEBSITE: www.artisansroadtrip.com
3. BLOG: http://artisansroadtrip.blogspot.com/

"We're looking forward to seeing you this year!"

BRUCE MORRISON, painter/photographer: "I love it when people come to my studio, see what I do and ask questions – I learn a lot from this exchange!  And people learn something too, in a fun way. I believe (that) the interchange between the artist and public fuels the act of creativity. The biggest barrier to any artist is the issue of 'exposure'.  A.R.T. gives the artist a venue for interaction and the potential for the purchase of the work. It also opens the world of 'creativity' to the public.

 LINDA FRIES, watercolorist: "Oh, the freedom and flow of watercolor and just as the brush takes control; the painter begins a journey and that's when the fun begins. For years now, A.R.T. has opened our home studio to the fun bunch that just stops in. And I so enjoy meeting all of these outstanding artists. Each year is richer, better – It's a good time."

 HANK HALL, pottery, drawings, painting: "Sharing my work with the public is something I love to do," says Hank Hall. "I create to satisfy my sense of aesthetics, and if someone else gets a kick out it then it just doesn't get better than that!"

And that's just a few words from three of the 35 artists participating in this year's big weekend event! The weekend forecast is for plenty of sunshine and above normal temperatures for October - plan a weekend trip and make the rounds at the 2015 Artisans Road Trip!

Hope to see you on the road for a fun weekend!