Placer Artists Studios Tour to showcase art schools, galleries

The 29th annual Placer Artists Tour takes place Veteran's Day weekend, Nov. 11-13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. An "Encore Weekend" will extend the tour through Nov. 18-20. A circle icon in the Arts Directory and Tour Guide indicates which locations will be open the first weekend or both weekends. More than 100 artists are participating in the tour this year, along with six art galleries and, for the first time, seven art and music schools. Two Auburn art galleries are participating. At Persimmon Art Gallery, next to Awful Annie's on Lincoln Way (#63 on the map), you can see the work of several tour artists, including Allison Armstrong's light-filled fruit and flowers (24A), Robin King's delicate mixed media (62) and the wonderful textile work of Terry Shearn (56C). Tour artist Unni Stevens and other gallery member artists often give classes in the gallery. There will be demonstrations of mosaic work by Lori Humphrey during the first weekend. Auburn Old Town Gallery presents, along with more traditional media, Jaime Baxter's exquisite pysanky, also known as Ukrainian Easter eggs (70). You will also see on display the natural world of Diane Tharp's beautifully realized watercolors. "A path of wonderment," she says, "and I never get tired of the journey." Tharp will also host Old Town Gallery artists Ardith Gray's amazing array of textile art and the charming gourd creatures of Jenn Norpchen at location 57. Sometimes, the lines between shop and studio blur. Ragged Glory is a store run by a mother and daughter, featuring vintage and handmade goods and offering an ongoing selection of classes (45). Elizabeth McComb runs Fabrefaction Studio, an online and brick-and-mortar store featuring historically inspired clothing, including steam punk, costume and special-occasion clothing. She holds sewing classes, from beginning to advanced. Visit her at location 43. Three other participating art schools are Work of Art Studio (48), and Auburn Clay Arts Studio and JC Lee Studios/School of Sculpture, both at location 46 at General Gomez Arts. At General Gomez Arts, you may enjoy Auburn Symphony harpist Kerstin Allvin from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Music and More Performing & Visual Arts Center (52) has taught a generation of Auburn-area students. Participating in the tour for the first time, they will also host tour artists Don Antram (mixed media), Livia Kerr (oil and mixed media) and Janet Paehlig (jewelry and textiles). Auburn Symphony duo George Weis on cello and David Thorp on viola will perform at Music & More from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Music & More will also present a Concert Showcase on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m., hosted by Alice Dowdin. Featured performers are The Romantic Duo & Wild Duck, along with local singer/songwriters and student performers. Many tour artists also teach in their own studios. Anthony Maki Gill (40) works in clay, wonder and vision at his "Building A" studio. Gill will be the speaker in the Kingsley-Crocker Speakers Series on Nov. 16 at 2:30 at the Crocker in Sacramento. He will talk on The Alchemy of the Artist, Curiosity, Creativity, Community and Clay. He opens the door to a world of ceramic and image making that jolts the imagination. Dana Ross (42) is another longtime Auburn art teacher. She offers weekly children's classes from September through May. Private studio sessions are also available. When exploring artists online at PlacerArtistsTour.org, you will find many other artists who teach classes. Taste of the Tour, the Placer Artists Tour preview show, will be held at Blue Line Arts in Roseville, the most prominent visual arts gallery in Placer County. The exhibit will extend from Nov. 4 -20. The Taste of the Tour reception at Blue Line Arts is on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 5-8 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to see a sample of the work of all the artists and pick up a copy of the Arts Directory Tour and Guide. The Directory and Tour Guide is available at participating galleries, art schools and many local businesses. Visit PlacerArtistsTour.org for the Arts Directory and Events calendar. Pre-register for the tour for a chance to win prizes.