Caledon East Studio Tour 2006 is this weekend

Taking part in the studio tour are (back, l to r) Cheryl Carruthers, Bridget Wilson, Elizabeth Babyn, Lenny Dykstra, (front) Randy McLeod, Marty Rothstein, Lyn Westfall.

In a season full of offerings guaranteed to delight the senses, the Caledon East Studio Tour is one of the most happily anticipated.

Some of Caledon's finest artisans and artists will be welcoming you back into

their studios during the upcoming weekend of Sept. 16 and 17. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., eight area artists and their 12 guest artists will unveil their newest work in a variety of interesting media. Several of these studios are not open to the public at any other time of the year. Everyone is welcome and there is no fee.

Show-goers can pick up a brochure at any of the studios or print out a copy from the tour Web site at www.caledoneaststudios.co m and plan their routes

accordingly. Each studio is no more than 10 minutes from the next and the farthest in each direction is less than 15 minutes drive from the centre of Caledon East. The tour can be completed in a leisurely day and can be started from Bolton or Caledon Village. It is important to note that all participating artists have been selected by a jury of their peers, making the quality of artistic offerings exceptional.

In Bolton, artist Elizabeth Babyn will be showing her beautiful abstract acrylic paintings from her studio on Ellwood Drive, and will host fellow oil and acrylic painter Carole Sisto and blown glass artist Kathryn Thomson. Just down the street, enjoy Lenny Dyksra's spirited textile work and guest Valerie Tennant's whimsical wood sculpture. Travel north to visit this year's guest artist, watercolourist Freda Wrench, in her Palgrave studio where she will welcome Lisa Gignac with her fabulous glass jewellery and fellow glass artist (and tour regular) Bridget Wilson.

Take Patterson Sideroad west to see oil painter Cory Trepanier, just back from his exciting Arctic painting adventure. Cory will be hosting William Pleasance whose carved walking sticks have become a perennial show favourite. Travelling west to Airport Road, you will find yourself at wood turner Randy McLeod's farm studio where he and his guest, metal and silversmith Chris Toogood, will be displaying

their unusual work. Further west to St. Andrews Road will take you to Stone Ridge Studio, the fabulous home for the leather jewellery of Cheryl, Joan and Joanne. Their returning guest, Carrole Blakeman, will be offering her all-natural beauty and aromatherapy products.

Go west one sideroad to Cedar Creek Gallery, the photography studio of Marty Rothstein, where you can enjoy images from his world travels. Guest George Holancin will charm you with his outdoor metal sculptures. One sideroad farther west is home to painter Lyn Westfall who will be sharing her rich abstract paintings and Caledon landscapes. In her garden, Jaime Nevitt will be showing her garden glass art and Jim Kinney's off-beat silver wind chimes will be tinkling in the fall breeze.

Ask any of the artists to recommend a lovely place for lunch, or simply enjoy the refreshments provided at each studio stop. Grab a friend, a tour map and a car and share this glorious day with 20 inspired artists. For further information, or to receive a map by fax, call Anne at 905-857-1583 or Lyn at 519-927-5488.