Peter Emmink and Joyce Pruysers-Emmink are busy tidying up their Dawson Road, Algonquin Highlands property in preparation for The Studio Tour Haliburton Highlands Oct. 5-6 and Oct. 12-13.
The falling maple leaves are their biggest challenge as the 37th iteration of the tour sets to launch this weekend.
In addition to hosting folks at their Ivy Cottage Fusion Arts studio, the fused glass creators are spokespeople for the fall classic.
“We’ve been working madly in the yard, trying to get things cleaned up for the tour,” Peter said.
Discussing this year’s tour, which launched in 1987, the Emminks said there are three new artists.
The first is Susan Hay. She paints uniquely-textured, colourful, acrylic landscapes. The second is Allison Barrow, who does water-colours, and is a guest at studio (V), home to Artech Studios.
The final addition is Deborah McInnes, who is Albert Cote’s wife. Cote teaches at Haliburton School of Art + Design. McInnes owned and operated a quilt shop for years, and has had pieces at the Houston Quilt Market. They are guests of the Emminks.
The three were chosen from eight applicants by a jury. Joyce said, “we have quite a large jurying team because we want to keep the quality. I think that is probably one of our key goals, to always keep it interesting, but the quality has to be (there).”
Sustainability
When the Emminks were first on the Studio Tour in the early 1990s, they said 1,000 people would come through their doors on a weekend. Now, they get about 500 over the four days of the two weekends. Some studios get 700-800, “but it’s not the numbers that we saw.” Joyce said.
“Back then, we were one of the first tours that started up. I think that was a key piece. We would get people from all over; Toronto, Ottawa and London. We get some of those people, but certainly… considering how we had to advertise in those days, we didn’t have social media, reaching out to those far regions was tough but we still got that volume.”
Joyce said they get cottagers these days who tell them they have been coming for 25 and 30 years, but many are downsizing and not buying as much art.
Peter added they are trying to get younger people out, and are ramping up social media, “because that’s how they get around.” They said millennials like digital, such as the Toureka app, so they are printing fewer brochures.
The Studio Tour remains stable, which Peter attributes to the quality of art, as well as the region. “It’s so inspiring. Our artists take great pride in creating in the Highlands and sharing it with people.”
Joyce added a chance to learn at the various studios keeps people’s interest. It’s a way to attract younger artists, too. A former teacher and special educator, Joyce said making art is so good for mental health.
Beer
This year also sees the release of The Studio Tour beer, in conjunction with Boshkung Brewing. Fernando Diaz de Leon Rendon created the logo. Folks can have a taste at the Emminks the first Saturday, and April Gates’ studio (Q) the second Saturday.
The Studio Tour is self-guided from Tory Hill in the east to Carnarvon in the west. There are 29 new and returning artists working in textile and fabric art, painting, leatherwork, glasswork, fine jewellery, photography, quilting, pottery, metal art, ceramics and more.
People can plan their route in advance by picking up a brochure, visiting thestudiotour.ca website, and checking out the Toureka! app.
