Mark your calendars! The Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour takes place over four days from October 6 to 9 (10 am – 5 pm daily). Discover exceptional art and the beautiful fall colours of Central Ontario.
This self-guided tour across Orillia & Lake Country invites visitors to meet artists in their studios or pop-up galleries showcasing talented work in painting, pottery, sculpture, photography, wood-turning, jewelry, and mixed media. This is a rare opportunity to visit some of the most unique properties and studio settings in Simcoe County. Be inspired by the creativity and beauty at the rural homesteads, lakeside properties and funky retreats where Images Studio artists live and work.
2023 marks the tour’s 40th anniversary as one of Ontario’s longest-running art tours because of the high quality and award-winning tour artists who showcase new work each year.
With so many fabulous artists across the region, we’ve put together some route ideas for exploring this year’s exciting Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour. We’ve broken down where to go, additional spots through the region to check out, and where to find artists on the Images Tour.
Download the Digital Map and Brochure to take on the road with you! During the Tour, all of Tour Stops will have available a 4 page, large format print copy of the Studio Tour Map, along with photos and directions to all 30 Artists on this year’s Tour!
Road Trip Recommendations
Orillia Route
Discover the beauty of Orillia in the fall while enjoying two stops in the heart of the Sunshine City. Artist Xavier Fernandes features his woodworking and woodturning at his home studio and painter Marlene Bulas showcases her bright and whimsical pieces at her home studio. Make a day of it and experience the city that inspires so many artists in the region including Orillia’s own Arts District and public art around the city and downtown. Take a stroll on the Millennium Trail and walk amongst the canopied trees at Tudhope Park. Artists have even been inspired by the late hometown troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot, with art across the city. Explore the diverse foodie scene and relax at one of Orillia’s cozy accommodations.
Stop V: Xavier Fernandes
Stop P: Marlene Bulas
View Stops on the Tour Digital Map
Severn Route
Get ready to experience a drive full of beautiful, vibrant colour through winding by expansive farmland and canopied back roads of Severn. Stop at artist studios and scenic properties to see artists work on display. In Marchmont, Paul and Pam Allen’s eclectic creations are nearly as eclectic as their home. Across the road, Dave Beckett’s Gallery showcases his never-ending talent for pastel landscapes. Heading towards Coldwater, step off Hwy 12 to enjoy beautiful vistas of fall colours as well as the studio of Kathryn Kaiser and her evocative paintings.
Take a break in charming Village of Coldwater at a café or sit down for lunch along the river. Looking for more fall colours? Take a detour to go sight-seeing up to Port Severn and Big Chute along the Trent-Severn Waterway for a beautiful fall drive.
Looping back around, visit artist Tony Bianco, a nationally-renowned painter with art featured by the Canadian Mint along with guest artist Stan W. Tait, whose timeless sterling silver jewelry is in international demand. Head into Oro-Medonte just a few minutes off the highway to Moonstone to visit the home studio and gallery of wildlife painter Derek Wicks who also has had work featured by the Canadian Mint.
End your route with a refreshing brew at a nearby craft brewery!
Stop C: Paul Allen and Pam Allen
Stop B: Dave Beckett
Stop F: Kathryn Kaiser
Stop D: Tony Bianco with guest Stan W. Tait
Stop G: Derek C. Wicks
View Stops on the Tour Digital Map
Horseshoe Valley Road Route
Traverse the rolling hills of Oro-Medonte to see why so many artists call it home.
The Horseshoe Valley Road is your direct artery to six locations for the Images Studio Tour. As one of the bigger routes in our recommendations, we suggest dedicating a good chunk of time for this stretch and breaking it up with some of Oro-Medonte’s fine dining.
Step inside Oro-Medonte’s Jarrett Hall for a series of eclectic artwork. See Pauline Bradshaw’s detailed drawings and unique subject matter. Robert Potvin’s work explores themes of individuality, isolation, and fantasy in expressive acrylics. Pamela Meacher’s watercolours explore a world of whimsical natural beauty. New to this stop and the tour this year is wildlife and landscape photographer Thomas Quint.
Discover the Braestone community at the Braestone Discovery Centre surrounded by idyllic autumn landscapes. Printmaker Ian Kochberg fuses traditional techniques with modern technology in illuminated prints. Charlotte Williams’ dramatic scenic paintings are inspired by memories and vast rural landscapes and skies. Woodworker Arnold Veen uses Ontario wood to discover its inner beauty and diverse grain patterns to create unique one-of-a-kind creations.
Heading into Horseshoe Valley proper, discover the hillside studio of glass artist Deb Brown as her creations dazzle against canopied natural backdrops. Nearby, check out the gallery space of Dan Kangas with his stunning driftwood mounted sculptures. It’s a quick drive over to the lovely gallery setting for two talented nature photographers, JDN Photography and Art on Stone by Jan Novak and Tamara Scearce.
Finally, take a break in Craighurst and step into the pop-up gallery at Chilton Realty featuring Peter Michalski detailed and stylized pottery along with the dramatic still life paintings of and Ralph Siferd.
Stop S: Pauline Bradshaw, Robert Potvin, Thomas Quint, and Pamela Meacher
Stop J: Arnold Veen, Charlotte Williams, Ian Kochberg
Stop I: Deb Brown
Stop H: Dan Kangas
Stop K: Jan Novak and Tamara Scearce
Stop U: Peter Michalski and Ralph Siferd
View Stops on the Tour Digital Map
Want some more art? While you’re in Craighurst, keep your eyes our for the Oro-Medonte Art Trees. This outdoor public art project features a number of Images Studio Tour artists. Take time to stop, shop and dine in Craighurst and reflect on the amazing art on your journey so far.
Old Barrie Road Route
Next up, take the winding road of the Old Barrie Road past farm fields and rural vistas to the next set of home studios and galleries. Nancy Jones is an impressionist artist inspired by the natural beauty of Ontario. New to the tour this year, fall in love with Michael Scott’s stunning landscape images, reflecting on his love for the local countryside and Canadian Shield. Down the road is Shiralee Pottery with Danielle Skentzos featuring detailed pottery inspired by the rural atmosphere of Oro-Medonte.
Stop T: Nancy Jones
Stop W: Michael Scott
Stop M: Danielle Skentzos
View Stops on the Tour Digital Map
Lake Simcoe Route
The final stretch takes you along the shores of Lake Simcoe to beautiful artist locations along and near the water. Step inside Gary Brierley’s barn-inspired pottery studio and gallery. Sandra Title’s lakeside studio is the perfect backdrop for her abstract paintings with use of bold colours. It’s a perfect pairing with multi-media sculpture artist Debra Shelswell and guest Heather Smeding, who tells a story with her beautiful handmade “heart tales” and “junk drawer” necklaces. Finally stop at Margaret Ferraro’s home studio filled with colourful oil paintings and pastel landscapes.
Stop O: Gary Brierley
Stop N: Sandra Title
Stop Q: Debra Shelswell with guest Heather Smeding
Stop E: Margaret Ferraro
View Stops on the Tour Digital Map
No matter what route you take, the Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour is a fantastic way to spend time discovering new artists, finding treasures to last a lifetime, and make memories along the way in Orillia & Lake Country.
Follow along with our recommendations along the way:
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