Inspiration For All – September Lakefield Herald – Vivienne Jones

Every year when the third weekend in September rolls around the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour offers local residents, cottagers and visitors an opportunity to be inspired to get out and explore the beautiful and varied area of the North Kawarthas, in fact Kawartha is a Huron Indian word meaning ‘bright waters and happy lands.’

Meanwhile, the term tour is very appropriate as it means ‘visits to various places of interest for pleasure or instruction,’ one might add that the Apsley tour potentially involves heading down unfamiliar roads on a shared journey of exploration, fun and discovery.  In terms of inspiration, it’s a reality that artists are inspired by their natural surroundings creating art and objects that are a meaningful way of sharing.  It’s in recognition of the deeply important overall spirit of inspiration and sharing that the tour recognizes that the lands and waters are the traditional lands and waters of the Chippewa and Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg.  Their culture and language, which is rooted in this land and its water has much to teach us.

Another way the Apsley studio tour acknowledges the role of inspiration and sharing has been by creating in 2017 a student award for artistic merit in the community.  This years young winner of The Apsley Art Award is budding artist Arthur Meddings, a grade 8 Apsley student.  Arthur receives a $100 gift certificate for purchasing art supplies, donated by the tour and Victory Art Supply in Peterborough.

With its 12 artists’ studios spread out around the area and 29 participating artists and artisans whose work encompasses a wide spectrum within the disciplines of painting, sculpture, glass art, fabric art, ceramics, mosaic, woodwork, metalwork and jewellery, there is surely something inspiring for everyone on this local annual tour.

September 17th and 18th, 2022 from 10 am to 5 pm. Find details of the tour artists and tour map at APSLEYSTUDIOTOUR.COM

Written by Vivienne Jones 2022