A sure sign fall is on the horizon? Besides the changing temperatures, there’s also studio tours. No matter what region of Ontario your cottage resides, you’re sure to find local artists’ work on display in the coming months. To find out what’s happening in your area, check out our list of tours taking place in September.
If none of these events pique your interest, check Ontario Culture Days for even more culture events over the weekend of September 29-30.
The Ottawa Valley Rural Ramble (Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2012)
The Rural Rumble draws thousands of visitors every year. It has evolved from a small, two-day farm tour to an ongoing fall festival featuring four different themes: Adventure and Exploration, Agriculture and Food, History and Heritage, and Arts and Culture.
More info: Rural Ramble
Sundance Studio Tour (Sept. 1 – Sept. 3, 2012)
Taking place on Labour Day weekend, the Sundance Studio Tour is held in Maberly, Ont., where Highway 7 and County Road 36 cross. Hosted by the Fall River Restaurant, this festival is more about spending time with the artists than behind the wheel. Featuring 26 artists in a variety of disciplines, along with food vendors and musicians, there is something to satisfy everyone’s creative appetite here.
More info: Sundance Artisan Festival
Northumberland Hills Studio Tour (Sept. 8 – Sept. 9, 2012)
Follow the blue studio tour signs (featured on the tour’s website) and be taken through the region’s rolling hills to meet up to 44 artists. You will also get the chance to see where they live, work and create. From ceramic sculptures to native paintings and hand-crafted jewelry, this tour is a great opportunity to find gifts for loved ones.
More info: Northumberland Hills Studio Tour
27th Annual Uxbridge Studio Tour and Sale (Sept. 15 – Sept. 16, 2012)
The Uxbridge Studio Tour is a self-guided tour of 28 artists in their homes and studios, located in the town of Uxbridge as well as the surrounding hamlets of Claremont, Goodwood, Sandford, Victoria Corners, Port Perry and Sunderland.
More info: Uxbridge Studio Tour
Apsley Autumn Studio Tour (Sept. 15 – Sept. 16, 2012)
Located in the northern Kawarthas, many of the artists’ studios along this tour are tucked away in beautiful locations, made even more scenic by the fall colours. This year’s tour includes five new artists whose work encompasses painting, sculpture, metalwork, weaving, jewellery and stained glass.
More info: Apsley Autumn Studio Tour
Prince Edward County Studio and Gallery Tour (Sept. 21 – Sept. 23, 2012)
This one is known as one of the longest running and most diverse studio tours in Ontario. You’ll also enjoy exploring this beautiful county, which includes a number of award-winning wines, restaurants and accommodations.
More info: Prince Edward County Studio Tour 2012
Bancroft and Area Autumn Studio Tour (Sept. 22 – 23 and Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
This season, the studio tour will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with 10 different stops along the rugged landscape of the Hastings Highlands. Held on two separate weekends, you can expect to find pottery, metalwork, fibre arts, oil, acrylic, digital and water color paintings, stone and driftwood painting, stained glass, and jewelry along the tour’s ten stops.
More info: Bancroft and Area Autumn Studio Tour
The Merrickville Artists’ Guild Studio Tour and Sale (Sept. 22 – 23 and Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
Located not far from Smith Falls, southwest of Ottawa, Merrickville claims to be the country’s prettiest village. If you’d like to check it out, why not visit at the end of September, when the town holds its studio tour and sale. Find 26 artists within a 15 km radius of this quaint Southern Ontario town.
More info: Merrickville Artists’ Guild
Elora-Fergus Studio Tour (Sept. 23 – 22 and Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
Featuring more than 30 new and returning local artists, those presenting pieces at the Elora-Fergus Studio Tour work in a range of mediums, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to you.
More info: Elora-Fergus Studio Tour
Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour (Sept. 22 – 23 and Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
Taking place on two separate weekends at the end of September, this tour is self-described as Canada’s Original Studio Tour. Conceived by one individual three decades ago, the idea of giving people a glimpse into the studios where raw materials are transformed into spectacular art pieces continues to hold its appeal in this popular region of cottage country.
More info: Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour
Georgina Studio Tour and Sale (Sept. 29 – Sept. 30, 2012)
Follow the Georgina Studio Tour signs (featured on the tour’s website) through Keswick, Sutton, Jackson’s Point and Pefferlaw, and discover artist’s creations from pottery and photography.
More info: Georgina Studio Tour and Sale
The Tweed and Area Studio Tour (Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
Drive through the south-central region of Hastings County and experience a diverse range of artists. Along the area’s rolling countryside, you’ll find everything from porcelain pottery to Olde World Santas, hand-crafted with incredibly fine detail.
More info: The Tweed and Area Studio Tour
The Annual Sudbury Arts Tour (Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
In its 22nd year, the Sudbury Arts Tour is held throughout the city of Greater Sudbury. Featuring 40 different artists working in a number of mediums, paintings are particularly popular among this tour.
More info: Sudbury Craft and Arts Foundation
Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio Tour (Sept. 28 – 30, 2012)
Although the name may suggest it—and it’s the perfect time of year for it—the Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio Tour is more focused on the artists than the surrounding leaves. However, they do provide a beautiful backdrop to the tour. See local artists work in paint, glass, photography, pottery, metal, wood and more along this route.
More info: Saugeen Autumn Leaves Studio Tour
Elliot Lake Arts on the Trail (Sept. 29-30, 2012)
This fall festival event includes 20–30 artists exhibiting and selling their work at various venues in Elliot Lake. There will be live musicians at each venue, demonstrations by artists, a student art exhibition and a First Nations exhibition. This year’s special guest artist is Madonna Aeschlimann. On September 27, a two-sided mask making workshop will be held leading into the event and Canadian folk singer/songwriter Katherine Wheatley will perform a concert on September 29.
More Info: Elliot Lake Arts on the Trail
Madawaska Valley 21st Annual Studio Tour (Sept. 29 – 30, 2012)
The 16 studios along this route in the Madawaska Valley feature a number of artists who focus on painting wildlife, however, there is a wide range of work, which even includes homemade skin care products.
More info: Madawaska Valley Studio Tour
City of Kawartha Lakes 27th Annual Victoria County Studio Tour (Sept. 29 – 30 and Oct. 6 – 7, 2012)
Presented by the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Kawartha studio tour runs on the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October. At 14 different locations you find more than 20 artists creating their work, including furniture, oil, watercolour, acrylic and encaustic paintings, mixed media constructions, and ceramics.
More info: Victoria County Studio Tour
Haliburton County Studio Tour (Sept. 29 – 30 and Oct. 6 – 7, 2012)
This annual studio tour will be celebrating its silver anniversary, displaying local artists for 25 years. Along with the spectacular fall colours on display in this region, you will also find nearly 30 artists demonstrating the process behind their original work.
More info: Haliburton County Studio Tour
