Every year, just before the annual Innisfil Studio Tour, the participating artists get together for a meet-and-greet.
There’s wine and cheese, and conversation about the arts in Innisfil, and each artist brings along a piece representative of their work.
It’s an opportunity to publicize the upcoming tour with the media; even more importantly, it’s an opportunity to strengthen the ties between members of the Innisfil arts community.
This year marks the 27th year of the Innisfil Studio Tour, and the meet-and-greet was once again held at the home of Sydney and James Hardie in Alcona.
James is one of the talented artists participating in the tour, and opening his studio to visitors. Sydney is a member of the Innisfil Arts, Culture and Heritage Council (IACHC), and an organizer of the annual Studio Tour.
The tour includes private studios, group shows at the Innisfil Town Hall, Knock School Heritage Site, and a Youth Art Show at the Lakeshore Branch of the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, at 967 Innisfil Beach Road.
This year, there will also be a special exhibit by members of the South Simcoe Palette Club, and a tribute to the late Ruth Draper, founding member of the club, owner of Art Unique Gallery & Gifts in Cookstown, and a long-time supporter of the Arts in Innisfil. Sadly, Draper passed away in March of this year.
Fifteen members of the South Simcoe Palette Club will be holding a group show at the Masonic Lodge, 4 Queen St. in Cookstown – including a wall of artworks available for $60 each, to commemorate the club’s sixtieth anniversary.
This is the first time that the South Simcoe Palette Club has participated in the studio tour, and there are a number of other new artists, invited to participate by the IACHC, said Sydney..
“I’m always so happy when I can find a new artist,” she said. There's always a sense of discovery: “Hey, this person is in my town!”
The Innisfil Studio Tour is a self-directed tour, and takes place Nov. 2 and 3. Studios and group shows will be open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free. For more information, details of the artists, and the locations, click here.
