Everyone benefits from a mental refresh now and again. Although there are many ways to find the perspectives and activities that achieve this, viewing art in all its forms is one option that always enriches.
For the 25th year, the Pembina Valley Studio Tour will enthrall art enthusiasts with its installations that showcase the talents of the people who live and work in the area.
“Many of the artists from our region put their studios on the tour, and people can drive around from Altona to Carman to Pilot Mound [and] all over Southern Manitoba and look at artists working in their studios or showing their art,” says Margie Hildebrand, the chairperson of the tour.
Something convenient about the Pembina Valley Studio Tour is that it is self-guided — participants can view as little or as much as they want, and they can schedule gallery visits according to where they will already be or make a day of it with a planned itinerary.
“If you live close to someone and just want to see them, that's fine. If you want to spend two whole days driving back and forth, you can start at one end and see how far you get, and then the next day you can finish it off,” says Hildebrand.
The tour may also be of interest to those who are in the market for a new piece of locally sourced art.
“Many of the artists are really hoping that you'll see something that catches your eye,” says Hildebrand. “[There are] painters, sculptors, stained glass artists, photographers, [and] woodturning [artists]. There are many different varieties of art out there.”
The Pembina Valley Studio Tour takes place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday (September 14th-15th). Saturday, the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday the tour runs 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. A brochure and a map for the event and its participating artists can be accessed here. Paper brochures are available all over — at Golden Prairie Arts Council in Carman, Gallery in the Park in Altona, Winkler Arts and Culture Centre, Pembina Hills Art Gallery in Morden, Miami Arts Association, and United Community Arts in Pilot Mound.
This year, approximately 20 studios are taking part in the tour, so there is no shortage of art to view in the Pembina Valley.
“I think it's really neat for people to be able to see the locations where people are making their art,” says Hildebrand, who notes that this year, there are some new additions to the tour.
“One exciting thing is that the town of Miami [has] created the Miami Arts Association. They've got a new building that [is] a church that they've renovated,” she says. “Also this year, the Trinity Lutheran Church here in Winkler has got a group of artists from their congregation that are showing together.”
Hildebrand says that the address for the Miami Arts Association is incorrect in the brochure. It can be found at 102 Blight Street in Miami.
Another addition this year is an artist who lives near Thornhill on a country property. Visitors will be treated to pottery and paintings at this installation.
Hildebrand says that some of the additions this year also showcase young talent.
“[It’s] fantastic. There are some people that have been around for years and years and when we see the young people coming in and showing their work, it's maybe a little different [from] what we older people have been doing, but it’s great.”
Hildebrand herself is an artist. Her talents span from pottery and oil painting to watercolour and fibre arts. She says that while it’s difficult to choose which form of creation is her favourite, her pottery, which she embellishes with small drawings, is certainly high on the list.
“I've been involved [in the Pembina Valley Studio Tour for] about 10 years,” she says. “The previous person who started the whole idea, Pamela Yorke-Hardy, was getting older and I came onto the committee and before I knew it, I was the chairperson.”
Hildebrand says that she hopes to get out on tour this weekend to see what the talented hands and minds of the community have created.
This weekend, don’t miss your chance for a scenic drive through the Pembina Valley punctuated by art pieces that are sure to move, hearten, and impress.
~With files from Ty Hildebrand~