SOUTH NEWFANE — On Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Rock River Artists will open their studios to the public for their annual Open Studio Tour.
“With a wealth of creative talent tucked away in its hills and valleys and the lushness of the summer landscape on display, the Rock River Artist Tour offers a close-up look at the richness of life and art-making in this unique region of southern Vermont,” the collective of professional artists writes in a news release.
Since 1993, the Rock River Artists have hosted this popular summer event. Last year's tour was cancelled due to COVID-19, but most of the artists agree that the pandemic year proved to be fertile ground for focusing on creating new work.
The South Newfane Schoolhouse serves as home base for the Rock River Artists, where visitors can preview a sampling of each participating artist's work.
The former one-room schoolhouse, at the intersection of Dover and Augerhole roads in South Newfane village, is transformed into a light-filled gallery of fine art and crafts for the weekend.
This year's roster features many of the Rock River Artists' regulars: potters Richard Foye, Matt Tell, Diane Echlin, and Carol Ross; collage artist Mary Welsh; clay artist Ellen Darrow; photographer Christine Triebert; painters Roger Sandes, Steven Meyer, Georgie Runkle, and newcomer Gianna Robinson.
A special feature this year is Newfane's own Johanna Gardner, who will be serving up her famous “Madame Jo's” crepes on the Schoolhouse lawn, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.