dis for upload

DISCOVER! | OCTOBER 1, 2016
6 | Pieces
At a Glance:
WHAT: Artisans Road Trip
WHERE: N’West Iowa
WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 8. Noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday,
Oct. 9
COST: Free
CONTACT: 712-728-2199
ONLINE: www.artisansroadtrip.com
Facts:
A.R.T. is a free self-driving open
studio tour.
A.R.T. offers a printed brochure
with directions to artist’s studios.
A.R.T. maintains a comprehensive
website showcasing
involved artists and provides
links to individual sites – artisansroadtrip.com.
A.R.T. organizes studios, dining
and lodging sponsors into 4
area tours.
A.R.T. is organized and run by
“Artists working for Artists.”
A.R.T. works to advance Northwest
Iowa Art, educating and
helping to develop local markets
and tourism.
KATE HARLOW | STAFF WRITER
Art on the
road
Artisans Road Trip set for Oct. 8-9
You don’t have to travel to the
big city to experience a culture
of art.
It might surprise you to learn that
there’s a thriving art culture right here
in rural N’West Iowa.
And the artists, who comprise this
bright culture, are opening their doors
to you.
For the 13th year, the Artisans Road
Trip is offering up local artists, their
work and some of their workshop
spaces for the viewing pleasure of anyone
who wants to take a road trip the
weekend of Oct 8-9.
The Artisans Road Trip is a free
event and will take place Saturday,
Oct. 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday,
Oct. 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
Over the years, the road trip has
grown and this year, they will have
41 artists who are participating in the
Artisans Road Trip.
“We’re very excited that we have 41
artists this year. That’s not even all of
the artists in the area either, so we’re
looking to continue growing,” said
Haley Tardiff, the chairperson of the
Artisans Road Trip.
Artists have the choice of opening
their studio space or showing their
work in a gallery setting. Tardiff, who
lives in Lakefield, MN, and works in
Spirit Lake, has chosen to show her
work at the Summerwind Gallery in
Arnolds Park.
“I have a degree in photography and
I do a little acrylic painting, but my
first original and true artistic love is
drawing cartoons and comics,” Tardiff
said.
She will be displaying some of her
cartoons and comics during the Artisans
Road Trip.
One of the greatest things about
Artisans Road Trip is the wide range of
art that is available for viewing.
“We have potters, jewelers, photographers,
painters, fabric artists.
We have sculptures. There is such a
variety it’s incredible,” Tardiff said.
“You don’t think that rural Iowa has
an artistic culture, but we have such a
vibrant art scene here.”
The Artisans Road Trip officially
happens once a year, but the organizers
work year-round to promote the
event.
They have held six touring group
shows in Fairmont, MN, Worthington,
MN, Clear Lake, IA, Storm Lake,
IA, Spencer, IA.
They have a show opening at the
Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji
on Oct. 6.
Another appeal for event goers,
according to Tardiff, is the relaxed
nature of the Artisans Road Trip.
“You can come and go. There’s maybe
a little stigma about an art opening
type of event whereas the Road Trip is
an event where you can pack up your
family, your kids, grandma. You can
grab your best friends and see art in a
relaxed environment and at your own
pace,” Tardiff said. F
Regional | Iowa