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Artisans are busy preparing for a six-day event in which they will open their studios and offer their hand made products to the public, minus the provincial sales tax.
The Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning is sponsoring the 10th PEI Studio Tour PST promotion from September 30 to October 2 to promote the rich, cultural arts that exist here on the Island.
There will be 65 studios participating. Everything from glass work to pottery, iron works, woodcrafts, jewellery and more, will be showcased.
Frances Pickle, Marilyn Blanchard and Annette MacRae will be demonstrating Acadian and Mi’kmaq basket weaving at the Island Traditions store in Richmond. Watch them split an ash log, chip the pieces, pound the splints apart, shave a splint and then weave one of a kind baskets. These artists who have been part of the event from the beginning, enjoy sharing the stories behind their many different types of baskets.
Sandi Komst, a painter from Out of Our Minds Art Gallery, will join other painters, jewellers, basket weavers and rug hookers at the Murray Harbour Community Centre October 4 and 5. The rest of the tour they’ll be around the Tourist Information Centre beside Founder’s Hall in Charlottetown. They will all be working and are looking forward to meeting with the public.
At Trout River Pottery Studio, Darren Matheson will be demonstrating pottery making, an art he has practised for close to 20 years. His wife, Rose will talk about what inspires her illustrations on Darren’s many pitchers, mugs, steins, crocks, bowls, goblets, vases, wine coolers, canister sets, plates and decanters. Observe a hands-on demonstration to see what can emerge from a lump of clay.
The provincial government has produced the PEI Studio Tour 2008 brochure to make it simple for you to plan your days. It provides a foldout map, contact information, a product photograph, a description of the demonstration and/or activity, together with directions to the studio’s location, and is available at any Visitor Information Centre.
Remember, there are six days to shop and save so you can, quite literally, go everywhere; and, this event also coincides with the Fall Flavours of PEI Festival so you can feast on cultural and culinary delights.
Studios will have balloons and signs at their gates to indicate that they are open for the Studio Tour.