July 22, 2015 at 1:29 p.m.
Art and the open road
Experience the Northwoods Art Tour
Art and the open road
By Kayla Thomason-
The art tour is free and no reservations are needed. Just pick up a brochure with a map and directions to the destinations from area chambers of commerce, or visit the tour website at www.northwoodsarttour.com.
The tour will take participants through Iron, Langlade, Lincoln Oneida and Vilas counties. Those who take the tour can visit as many or as few artists as they'd like from whichever area they'd like.
People who participate in the adventure will have the option to travel to 29 Northwoods artists' studios or homes, talk to them, see their process for creating their art and also have the opportunity to purchase the creations.
"The Northwoods Art Tour provides us with a personal interaction with people who are genuinely interested in our specialized art forms," Jack Stayer of Sand Lake Trading Company in Lac du Flambeau said in a press release. "Since tour attendees are actually visiting our studio/gallery, it allows us to create a wonderful teaching, learning and display environment for them as well."
There will be a wide assortment of artwork ranging from woodworking to the various paint mediums, fiber work, stained glass, photography, pottery, jewelry and more.
Artists who have participated in the tour for years will have new work to sell and five new artists have joined the ranks this year, keeping the fair fresh and exciting.
"It's fun to get to revisit with return guests and learn how our artwork has been used as special gifts for special people in their lives," Stayer said in the press release. "It is also humbling and inspirational to know that we were part of their special occasions."
Many of the artists enjoy talking about their work, discussing techniques, giving advice and tips, and sharing their passion with like-minded people.
"I love the ability to interact personally with visitors and to educate them about the various media and processes of our work," said Sara Muender, owner of Moondeer & Friends Gallery in Boulder Junction.
She has been a participant in the Northwoods Art Tour since the very beginning in 2000. She has tried her hand at various mediums such as acrylic, watercolor and monotype print-making, but specializes in photography and graphic design.
Because Muender is a commercial artist she keeps in mind what the public likes.
"I therefore focus on subject matter that I think will appeal to visitors to my Northwoods gallery; i.e. any Northwoods animal, bird or fish; northern landscapes and lake-scapes, fishing scenes, canoes/kayaks, etc.," she said.
Muender sells her own work, as well as the work of over 150 other local and regional artists. People participating in the art tour will get to see everyone's work, however, because Muender will be attending to customers. She personally will not be demonstrating her crafts, but another artist will.
Local artists who visit during the tour may even be invited to sell some of their work at her shop.
"If (the visiting artists) are local people or somehow connected to the Northwoods - summer resident or regular visitor - I will often invite them to sell work in the gallery on consignment," she said. "It's great fun to see all the talent that's out there and to be able to represent the artists in my area."
Muender said many people come back to the Northwoods specifically for the tour and like to reconnect with their favorite artists.
The artists are often energized by the passion of those who take the time to take the tour.
"The enthusiasm of the people and the true joy they feel when they realize they are actually meeting the artist who created the artwork at hand is wonderful," Val Bogdan of the Artists Palette in Manitowish Water said in a press release. "It makes me feel so special every time."
Muender also enjoys the time she gets to spend with the guests.
"I think that the NWAT has become a real fixture and tourist attraction in our region," she said. "It's really fun for visitors to see artists at work in their own home studios; this is especially encouraging to children and/or young people thinking of going into the fine arts."
Muender also mentioned that many - but not all - artists will welcome visitors throughout the year so long as the potential visitor sets up an appointment.
For further information on the artists and their availability out of tour season, visit www.northwoodsarttour.com.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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