Pat Garske Flowers on my Fence

FOR THE ANTIGO TIMES

Ahh Summer – It’s back in all its lush green glory. Visitors to the Northwoods have arrived. Thirty -eight members of the Northwoods Art Tour are delighted to welcome guests back to their individual studios and galleries for the 22nd Annual Summer Tour, Friday through Sunday, July 23, 24, 25, from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Brochures and with descriptions of individual studios are available at area chambers of commerce and information kiosks and for printing on the tour’s website www.northwoodsarttour.com.

The tour is organized into 38 unique studios located along the beautiful back roads of Iron, Vilas, Oneida and Lincoln counties. The tour offers guests a chance to travel through charming small communities and visit the seldom open to the public private workspaces of artists. It provides a unique opportunity to experience where and why artists create. You can delight in original works created in all painting and drawing media, functional and decorative works in fiber, clay, wood, glass and natural materials. Explore collections of creative photography, designer jewelry in precious metals and other unique media.

Two new members have been welcomed to the group this year: LemonDog Art and Pat Garske. Rod and Judi Linder of LemonDog Art create three-dimensional folk art fish using wood metal and acrylic paint. Each piece is a collaborative effort with Rod doing the carving and metal work and Judi doing the painting. Judi explains their inspiration: “Choosing folk art fish and fishing, was a very organic process related to the integral role of fish, and fishing, in the Northwoods culture and life. We are also both experienced divers and have immensely enjoyed observing fish in their natural environment in a multitude of settings. Our chosen subject and medium allow us to combine our inspiration and skills to create art that would be individually unattainable.”  LemonDog art will be a guest artist at Bear Paw Pottery in St. German.

New member, Minocqua quilter, Pat Garske works in a variety of styles and techniques to create her original designs and personal takes on traditional patterns. The artist explains: “Sometimes I follow the “rules” of quilting and sometimes I don’t. I may start with a project that seems very straight forward but along the way I find myself tweaking it a little,  Other times I start with the end vision and try to work backwards to try to create my quilt. Sometimes I follow the pattern and sometimes I make it up as I go along. I like a variety of styles: scrappy, modern, embroidered, vintage and more.”

Each artist on the tour will be demonstrating aspects of their working process, what materials they use and how they approach the creative process. Art works will be available for purchase. You may find yourself inspired to forgo the mass-produced and collect the one-of-a-kind to enrich your home or give as a special gift.

The Covid situation is in flux. Individual studios have made their own decisions regarding masking and other precautions. To avoid disappointment or address concerns, visitors can contact individual studios. Contact information is available in the brochure and on the tour website www.northwoodsarttour.com. All the artists are looking forward to greeting you and sharing their new work.