Mark your calendars for another edition of the Perth Autumn Studio Tour on the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend, October 10 and 11, from 10am-4pm.
Each year for the past 34 years, thousands of visitors have been attracted by the high calibre of art and the warm ambience of the Perth Autumn Studio Tour. Meandering through Brooke Valley, a rural community west of Perth, the tour features a wide range of artists and craftspeople from emerging to internationally renowned. The awe-inspiring beauty of the autumn colours on the landscape set the mood to take in the creativity and uniqueness of each artist. The five different studios provide opportunities to meet the artists in a relaxed setting, enjoy some process demonstrations, and purchase their one-of-a-kind creations. The Brooke Valley School offers a wholesome harvest lunch that supports the non-profit school.
This year, the Studio Tour showcases 5 studios and 24 artists.
At Studio 1 (Maberly Hall) you’ll find paintings by Gary Barr; knitted, woven, and felted alpaca garments and home fashions by Beth Fisher; paintings by Brenda Schamehorn; paintings and woodcraft by Les Russett; upcycled fur goods by Muffle Up!; and home textiles by Dagmar Sagat.
Studio 2 (Catherine Orfald Studio) features paintings by Catherine Orfald; chocolate by Ludwig Ratzinger; graphite drawings by Mallory McDougall; and paintings by Suzette MacSkimming.
At Studio 3 (Wouter van der Molen Studio) you’ll find sophisticated jewellery made with conflict-free metals and gemstones by Wouter van der Molen; Islamic geometry, paintings and marquetry by Bastou Bacharach; photo-metal artwork by Tania Marsh Designs; pottery by Keana Gauvin; photographs by Jordan Walmsley; and ink prints by Sarah Wright.
Studio 4 (Bridget O’Flaherty Studio) is the home of textile quilt art and drawings by Bridget O’Flaherty; as well as hand dyed yarns by October Knits; functional stoneware ceramics by Hyla Nemy; and wet felting by Becky & Lori Willsteed.
Studio 5 (Franc van Oort studio) features etchings and paintings by Franc van Oort; wooden furniture and spoons by Nick Moore; pottery by Lara Elliott; and paintings and mixed media by Nancy Barnard.
Organizers highly recommend that you set aside at least one full day, as many first-time visitors appreciate having enough time for each studio.
Each studio will be open on October 10 and 11 from 10am to 4pm. Addresses, map and more details can be found at perthstudiotour.com. Stay in the loop on Instagram and Facebook @perthstudiotour, as each artist is highlighted prior to the date.
The Brooke Valley School will be serving lunch and treats from 11am to 4pm each day. Everything is made from scratch by the school parents, with options for different dietary needs and a wonderful community atmosphere.
Whether you are looking for a unique gift, some inspiration for your own creative process, or simply a colourful fall weekend in a lovely country setting, the Perth Autumn Studio Tour is a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving weekend!
