Submitted
As we travel our quiet highways in northern Saskatchewan we often miss the wonderful treasures concealed in the out-of-the-way places off the main highways where a group of artists and craftspeople work diligently to fulfill their creative urges.
For two days Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4, the members of the 16th annual Northern Horizons Journey of Creativity will open their homes, studios or workshops to share those creations with you, if you will follow the signs of the horizon to come out and join them on their self-drive tour through the picturesque countryside in the northern areas surrounding Belbutte, Glenbush, Medstead, Glaslyn and Turtle Lake.
Watch for brochures of the event or visit www.northernhorizons.ca for information and a printable brochure. Again this year the group is offering a passport for a chance to win a gift certificate for $100 if you visit all the sites in the tour. So pick up your passport at the first site, have it marked at each site you visit and leave your completed passport at the last site you visit to be entered to win.
You may travel the tour from any direction but if you happen to be coming from the east on Highway 3, past the little hamlet of Belbutte, you will need to slow down and watch for a salmon coloured “sign of the horizon” that leads you a little north to the enchanting Hat Creek Ranch where Kristen Stuart creates her rustic furniture and décor. As a bonus, watch for a variety of farm animals at her site lovingly cared for by her and her family.
On Highway 3, you will find another horizon sign that will lead you towards the home of Debbie Dzialo at Ukrainian Creations. Besides her beautiful collection of Ukrainian creations, Debbie is an incredible cook who will serve you a meal after 11 a.m. or you can purchase homemade pyrohy, holubtsi or homemade baking to take home in your cooler.
Travelling south past the little hamlet of Glenbush you will find signs to lead you to Barb Janzen at Buffalo Charlie, living on a bison farm near Lost Horse Lake, where you can purchase a supply of natural homemade soap products made from buffalo tallow and see her jewelry creations and awesome mosaics. Watch for the buffalo!
If you travel a bit farther south and turn west on Canyon Road, watch for signs that will lead you north again to the gallery styled home of artist Dorothy Schmidt at Shady Lane Studio, nestled in the woods and overflowing with oil paintings of the Saskatchewan landscapes she loves to paint.
In the village of Glaslyn at the junction of Highways 3 and 4 watch for a sign on Railway Avenue at the Water Tower Gallery. Here you will find the beautiful stained glass creations of a new member of the tour, Sabine Hinz, at Sabine Glass, and also the wonderful professional photography of Mark Seabrook at MSSeabrookPhotography.
Farther west again on Highway 3 and north a bit at Sunset View Beach by Turtle Lake you can find the beautiful artwork of painters Anne Nordstrom (Annie the Artist) and Bonnie Luopa (Bonny Luopa Watercolour) at their cabins and also enjoy the breathtaking scenery around the beautiful Turtle Lake.
So come on out for a relaxing and enjoyable drive in the country, where you can visit with the artists, see their work specially displayed for you, purchase original Saskatchewan-made products and in some cases see the artist at work. You may even get a chance to try your own hand at painting! They are looking forward to your visit!
