Red Trillium Studio Tour on tap Oct. 19, 20

WEST CARLETON – Fall is here, the colours will be amazing and the 30 artists on this fall’s Red Trillium Studio Tour can’t wait to share what it’s like making art in West Carleton.

“The stroke of a brush, the click of a camera, the sound of the wheel as a form is shaped in clay – all evoke the effort and passion that go into the creative process of those who create,” RTST marketing volunteer and 2024 guest artist Cheryl Beillard released in a statement yesterday (Oct. 2). “It’s about commitment to an art form or fine craft, to learning and growing and to finding one’s voice –  what one wants to share with the world around them. It’s about the process as much as the final piece.”

This is the benefit of studio tours, which have become so popular, because they offer a window into what is behind the canvas, the photograph or the beautifully detailed ceramic bowl, by allowing visitors to see and/or experience the creative process of artists and craftspeople. In doing so, the story of that final piece becomes richer and more meaningful.

The artists and artisans of the Red Trillium Studio Tour are thus pleased to invite you to join them on Oct. 19 an 20, for the Fall edition of this long-standing, juried and artist-run studio tour, one that has been taking place in rural West Carleton twice a year, in June and October, for the last 26 years.

“Visit the studios of talented local artists and fine craftspeople who are passionate about glass, pottery, illustration, painting, fibre arts, photography/alternative photography and more,” Beillard said. “See also the incredible work of several artists in these and other artistic mediums, such as copper/metalwork, fine jewellery, and woodwork, from around the Ottawa region who will be guests at each of the participating studios.”

If you love pottery, you will want to see the beautiful slip-trailed pottery of Teresa Wingar at Studio 8 and Jill Spear and her hand-built embossed pottery at Studio 2. Marlene Othmer’s stained glass art can be discovered at Studio 5 and Chris Van Zanten (a tour favourite), will join Teresa at Studio 8 with his incredible blown glass art and metal work. Roxanne Ward will also once again be sharing her passion for glass with her one-of-a-kind glass art and jewellery at Studio 6. And we certainly cannot forget the joyful illustrations of Barbi Defazio at Studio 1. These are just a few of the many exceptional artists who have been part of the Red Trillium Studio Tour for a number of years.

We are also pleased to welcome back a number of newer participants in the tour, including Vicki Jasperse (Studio 1) and Veronica Moore (Studio 7), both silversmiths who create one-of-a-kind jewelry.  Wendy Clement is also joining us for the second time with her nature-inspired cyanotype/sun photography at Studio 2.

And finally, we are always thrilled to include new talent on the Red Trillium Studio Tour and are fortunate to have seven new artists join us this fall! At Studio 3, Connie Burchell will be introducing tour visitors to her lovely fibre arts. She will be joined by Elizabeth Baechlin with her acrylic paintings and finely crafted jewelry. Nicholas Adam Wojtas, a photographic artist, will be at Studio 4 while Maureen Bennett, a painter and mixed media artist, and Brent McGillivray, a photorealist painter, will be at Studio 5. We are also excited to have Cheryl Ann Beillard show her paintings and printmaking celebrating nature, at Studio 7 and Timothy Booth, whose love of nature is similarly expressed in his handmade wood creations, at Studio 8.

“We invite you to follow the map to the nine studio stops located in the vibrant communities of Dunrobin, Kinburn, Constance Bay, Buckhams’ Bay, Woodlawn and Carp or create your own route – a benefit of this free, self-guided two-day tour,” Beillard said. “Don’t miss this opportunity to visit with local artists in their personal spaces and learn about the creative processes of all 31 participating artists and fine craftspeople while enjoying the fall weather and the meandering back roads of rural West Ottawa. The drive is guaranteed to be as lovely and inspiring as the various studio stops along the way.”

To learn more about the tour, including the route map, accessibility information, studios, and participating artists and their work, please visit the Red Trillium Studio Tour website at www.redtrilliumst.com. The e-brochure is available on the website and print copies will be available at local businesses throughout the Ottawa region as well as at each studio location during the tour weekend.

Studios are open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the tour and there will be signs along the way to help guide you. Don’t forget to stop in at some of West Carleton’s local eateries too, which are conveniently identified on the tour map.

“We look forward to welcoming you to the Fall 2024 Red Trillium Studio Tour,” Beillard said. “Come join us.”