It’s been an unusual year, to say the least. We’ve all had to find new and creative ways to make the most of our free time, and with travel abroad curtailed, many of us have been learning to perfect the staycation! Luckily, our beautiful province offers an embarrassment of riches — distinctive geography, rich local history, and many diverse attractions. This fall, stay close to home and discover more.
A Day of Cultural Inspiration
This September, spend a day or a weekend touring the gorgeous foothills south of Calgary while discovering exciting local art during The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta. The self-guided route takes you to fantastic art galleries in the area as well as the studios of some of the talented artists who live and work here. Curated by an amazing group of locals, The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta is culturally inspiring and visually stunning.
Stirring Stops
In Okotoks, visit the engaging space of the progressive, community-minded Okotoks Art Gallery. Nearby, a gorgeous collection of local art of all kinds can be found at Lineham House Galleries. Housed within a beautiful historic property, local artists are often found on-site, demonstrating their methods for visitors.
Next, travel along Hwy 7, which will take you right past the singular Okotoks Erratic— the largest glacier-riding rock to be found in the foothills — to Black Diamond. Here, stop in at the eclectic Bluerock Gallery, which represents over a hundred local artists and also offers books, cards, textiles, pottery and jewellery.
Don’t forget to treat yourself to an insider’s peek into the private studios on the tour, open only by appointment or during Open Studio all-access tour events. At Firebrand Glass Studio, watch the glassblowing demonstrations for a bravura performance where molten glass meets deft mastery. Visit David Barnes of nearby Eversfield Ceramics and see his innovative and daring approach to working with clay. In Turner Valley, visit Susan Kristoferson in her hilltop studio and learn about the ancient and little-known art of paste papers, an art form that dates from the 16th century. Meet Mady Thiel-Kopstein, an outdoorswoman whose paintings embody the atmosphere and spirit of the region and whose ravens, in particular, have become iconic.
Last but never least, make sure you visit the jewel that is the Leighton Art Centre near Millarville. The former home of A.C. and Barbara Leighton is now a museum, gallery, shop and arts education centre. After visiting the historic house, take a dreamy wander through its 80-acre property, which boasts some of the area’s loveliest views.
Alongside Alberta Culture Days and Alberta’s Month of the Artist (now celebrated in September), The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta is an unmissable event. This month, hit the road on a journey of exploration and inspiration!
This is a self-drive tour; each venue offers admission free or by donation. Next Open Studio all-access event: September 25-27, 2020.
Learn more at https://themostbeautifularttourinalberta.com/
Please plan ahead to have a mask with you for indoor use, hand sanitize with provided sanitizer on your way into each venue, and expect that you may occasionally need to wait briefly outside a venue, to allow for physical distancing inside. If you have any specific concerns about current safety protocols, please reach out to the individual tour venues in advance of your visit.
Tour Venues:
Bluerock Gallery
110 Centre Avenue W, Black Diamond
403-933-5047
Daily, 10am – 6pm
Eversfield Ceramics
Range Rd 23, Foothills
403-968-1657
Open by appointment and during Open Studio tour events.
Firebrand Glass Studio
634 3rd St. SW, Black Diamond
403-933-2264
Open by appointment and during Open Studio tour events.
Kristoferson Studio
100 – 202 Blacklock Way SW, Turner Valley
403-619-6875
Open by appointment and during Open Studio tour events.
Leighton Art Centre
282027 144 St. West, Foothills
403-931-3633
Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Lineham House Galleries
33 Elma Street W, Okotoks
403-917-1445
Tuesday – Friday 12 – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Or by appointment.
Mady Thiel-Kopstein
522 Robert Street SW, Turner Valley
403-462-1610
Open by appointment and during Open Studio tour events.
Okotoks Art Gallery
53 North Railway Street, Okotoks
403-938-3204
Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm
Next Open Studio tour event: September 25 – 27, 2020. Event schedule at: https://themostbeautifularttourinalberta.com/event-schedules/
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