While many things have changed during this challenging year, some of the things that we love and that renew our spirit have remained the same. Our beautiful backroads of Iron, Vilas, Oneida and Lincoln counties are getting dressed in their most stunning colors to welcome guests. The artists of the Northwoods Fall Art Tour are getting studios ready to share their newest artwork and inspirations with visitors.
Members of Northwoods Art Tour will be welcoming visitors in a variety of ways from Friday Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct.11. The 39 studios and three guest artists each made individual decisions regarding their ability to safely be open to the public during the current Covid 19 Pandemic. Twenty-one studios will be open as usual. Five will be open by appointment only. Four will be closed, but offer online options for viewing and sales. Ten will be closed for the fall tour. Open studios will welcome visitors from 10 a.m- 5 p.m. each day. A status list of all the studios with links to their contact information including webpages is available on the Northwoods Art tour website: www.northwoodsarttour.com. Because tour members value and respect their visitors, all open studios and galleries will be following recommended safety guidelines. Visitors should be prepared to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and observe social distancing conventions.

Wave Dance, 29 x 29 wall quilt, cut free hand, machine pieced and quilted, embellished with Swarovski crystals and Angelina fibers. It has a sleeve on the back to make it real for hanging. by Louise Schotz, Outback Studio, Irma. Outback studio will be open for the tour.

Guests are invited into the private sanctuaries where artists live and create. Tour members have been working throughout the year so all open studios will have new work to share and artists will be demonstrating their approaches to art making. Whether visitors are shopping, wanting to learn about art processes, or just browsing, all the artists are pleased to welcome you to their creative space, to share their joy in art making, and their knowledge of process.
Old friendships will be renewed and new ones made, with the sharing of ideas and creativity, Each tour provides a unique experience for both the visitors and the artist.
Each studio and artist is special. Whether your interest lies in pottery, painting in many media, photography, art glass, practical or decorative fiber works, sculpture in wood or clay, reproduction or original prints, jewelry, handmade or custom furniture or just learning more about art, there is something for a variety of interests and tastes. You might just find that unique one-of-kind gift or a piece for your home that elevates your space and your spirit.
The tour is self guided. Studios are like open houses in which you come and go as your schedule allows. Visitors select which studios to visit based on their interests and time. Colorful brochures featuring each studio with driving directions, contact information and a map are available at area Chambers of Commerce and brochure racks located in many area businesses and on the tour’s website. Because brochures were printed early in the year, a list of the open status of each studio is only available the website: wwwnorthwoodsarttour.com