By Adam Frisk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Tour de Forest is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a shift in tradition.
The art crawl is ditching the studio road trip and gathering the participating artists under a single roof at the Haliburton Legion.
Artist and organizer, Charlene McConnell, said the decision to centralize was born out of a desire for the artists to celebrate the anniversary together.
“By the time you put a studio tour together, everyone is too busy to see each other’s new work,” McConnell said. “This way we’ll get to know each other a lot better.”
The new format brings several benefits, the artist noted. With high gas prices, the single location offers a “one-stop shop” with ample parking. It also helps eliminate the threat of wind and rain playing havoc with frames and canvases. McConnell said that even the traditional driving tours can suffer if the weather is too nice, as people prefer staying on the docks over driving all day.
Several artists will host demonstrations, including John Proctor, who returns to showcase his drum-making. Visitors can also view photographs of the artists’ creative workspaces and chat directly with creators.
The anniversary lineup features a wide range of mediums like woodworking, pottery, and painting. Attendees will get to meet three of the tour’s original founding members: Barbara Peel, Jane Selbie, and Tom Green.
To accommodate the high volume of art, McConnell said the setup will use grid walls for painters and a wide-aisle layout. The legion will also feature a dedicated sitting area where people can relax with complimentary coffee and an anniversary cake.
McConnell noted that local feedback has been overwhelmingly favourable, though it remains to be seen if this change is permanent.
“We haven’t decided whether this will return to its original format, but we’re just trying something new,” McConnell said. “Everything changes.”
The event kicks off with a preview evening on July 31, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continues through Saturday and Sunday. Entry remains completely free for the public.
