Northwest artists and artisans are joining in a celebration of creativity this summer.
Plan to eat out or pack a picnic, friends and family into a car and discover some of the many talents and treasures concealed along the quiet byways of rural Saskatchewan as you head out on a picturesque drive down country roads, past lush forests, glimmering lakes and streams, refreshing coulees, imposing canyons and rolling parkland for the annual Northern Horizons Journey of Creativity.
This experience is for art lovers, explorers and adventurers and is a great way to spend a summer day or weekend.
Aug. 4 and 5, studio workshops hosted by artists and craftspeople of the area surrounding Glaslyn, Medstead, Belbutte and Glenbush will open their doors to the public to share their diverse and interesting creative talents.
This is a self-drive tour so you may travel in any direction and visit any or all of the studios. Horizon signs will be posted to help mark the trail along with the help of the printable map and brochure that you can find at www.northernhorizons.ca. You can also find the group on Facebook at Northern Horizons - Journey of Creativity. Or you can pick up a brochure complete with a map, directions and commentary on individual artists available from various businesses, art galleries and information centers in the area.
Visitors are encouraged to visit all the artists, so a passport is offered again this year. At the first site you visit, pick up a passport and have the artists at each site mark it. A draw will be made for all those who visit all the sites during the two tour days. The prize this year a $100 gift certificate to be spent at one or more of the Northern Horizons Journey members’ sites.
In Glaslyn, featured guest artist, Lucille Scott, will be displaying intricate paintings that she does on feathers and other natural surfaces. Mark Seabrook of MSSeabrook Photography, who is an award-winning photographer and has had work published in Country Guide and Photo Life Magazine will also display his work. Lorraine Beardsworth who paints and draws in a variety of media, will have work on display.
In Medstead is Aaron Johnson of Boreal Rustics. His work consists of rustic furniture, picture frames and other creations made from logs and wood often artistically decorated with antlers and other found objects.
Southwest of Medstead is the gallery-style home of an accomplished artist, Dorothy Schmidt, at Shady Lane Studio. The studio features original oil paintings depicting the Saskatchewan landscape she enjoys painting.
South of Glenbush visit another artist, Lavonne Dyck at Portraits and More, who displays her softly and realistically drawn portraits in graphite or coloured pencil, photography and beautiful rugs woven on a large floor loom.
In the same area is Barb Janzen at Buffalo Charlie, formerly Lost Horse Lake Soap Company, where natural handmade soap products made from buffalo tallow and herbs are sold. She also makes jewelry and mosaics.
Debbie Dzialo at Ukrainian Creations offers a collection of Ukrainian crafts. She is also an accomplished cook and will serve a meal after 11 a.m. or visitors can purchase homemade pyrohy, holubtsi or baking to take home.
Just off Highway 3 between Cater and Belbutte you will find Kristen Stuart at Hat Creek Ranch Rustic Furniture with a variety of rustic furniture and décor pieces in a style that is a mix of farmhouse, old world, ranch house and northern cabin.
If you are unable to get out on the tour during the two days when special displays are set up for the public, many of the artists would be happy to have you visit at another time by appointment.
This is what previous travellers on the journey have had to say:
“I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
“This is more than a tour, it’s an event!”
“Wow! What wonderful talent we have in rural Saskatchewan.”
“We think we have to go far away to find talent but it’s right here.”
“What a great idea for spending a weekend.”
