Over two weekends this fall in Ontario’s cottage country, when the leaves are at their most spectacular and the air is cool and crisp, artists of the 2016 Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour invite folks to take an epic drive down colourful rural roads to visit them in their creative lairs.
Running September 24-25 and October 1-2, this year’s edition of “Canada’s oldest studio tour” features 21 exceptional artists in their studios working in a variety of media, from painting to jewellery to metal work and more.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the inescapable connection between these artists and the quintessentially Canadian wilderness that surrounds them. Ask questions and learn about individual methods and details that make each piece of artwork unique; find out how the artists have experienced an evolution as they continue to discover methods and techniques both new and old, and as they continue to be affected by the incomparable landscape found here.
The tour is also the perfect event to find artwork to fill that empty space on your wall, your table or even around your neck. Purchase a gift for that special someone that comes with a captivating tale of visiting the piece’s maker. Whether you are an artist yourself or are drawn to another artist’s projects, you will leave Muskoka inspired and uplifted after seeing the creative process played out before your eyes.
The studios themselves are spread out across Muskoka – one of the most beautiful destinations in Canada in autumn – and it may take more than one weekend to visit them all. (A complete map of the tour can be found by clicking here.)  Consider an extended stay in the region, and take in all that Muskoka has to offer in fall. Whether you like to paddle, cycle, fish or golf, there is plenty to see and do against the backdrop of red, orange and yellow maples, and the hundreds of sparkling blue waters that dot the region.
For 37 years, The Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour has been one of the most anticipated events of the fall season. Come enjoy the natural beauty of Muskoka, while learning from 21 incredible artists about what inspires them, and how they will inspire you too.

For more information about the artists participating in this year's Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, click here.

To plan your stay in the region, click here. 

Photos from top to bottom: Potter Jon Partridge at work in his Bracebridge area studio (photo by Scott Turnbull), Muskoka Autumn landscape (photo by Scott Turnbull), a work in progress by Huntsville weaver, Marni Martin (photo courtesy of the artist)

 Name: Wendy Moses
 Medium: Acrylic

How long have you worked in this medium? Fifteen years.

Were you formally trained or self-taught? Studied at U of T - Art Education.

What do you love about your medium? Intensity of colours and speed of drying.
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What is your least favourite aspect of your medium? Deciding whether to use Fluid or Heavy Body.

What do you listen to when you’re working in the studio? Jazz (piano), Bill Evans, Stevie Nicks, Wintersleep, Berlioz (Symphonie Fantastique), Jon Bon Jovi.

Favourite things to do when you’re not working in the studio? Cross Country Skiing, Rowing, Walking, Gardening.

Favourite artist / craftsperson of all time and why? Painters Eleven... Fabulous abstract work - exciting, powerful and full of energy.

Favourite book? The Watch that Ends the Night.

How long have you lived in Muskoka? 38 years.

Favourite restaurant in Muskoka? Ronnie’s (formerly All Fired up).

Favourite road to drive in Muskoka? South Monck Summer Road.

Favourite place to hike, bike or walk in Muskoka? Partridge Lane.

If you weren’t an artist/craftsperson, what would you be instead? On the Masters Womens Olympic Rowing Crew.

Visit Wendy's Artist Page to learn more about her work.

('Ask the Artist' is an ongoing Q&A series that provides a little bit of insight into the lives of the members of the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour)

Name:  Pat Fairhead
Medium: Watercolour, acrylic, oil, collage etc.

How long have you worked in this medium? Most of my life.

Were you formally trained or self-taught? Formal training at the Ontario Collage of Art (now OCADU).

What do you love about your medium? I love PAINT!!!

What is your least favourite aspect of your medium? When I can’t do it.

What do you listen to when you’re working in the studio? I need peace and quiet.

Favourite things to do when you’re not working in the studio? My work is my life.

Favourite artist / craftsperson of all time and why? Strongest influences are Turner and Carmichael.

Favourite book? Many, many... mostly biographies.

How long have you lived in Muskoka? Sixteen years full time and many, many summers.

Favourite restaurants in Muskoka? Riverwalk.
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Favourite road to drive in Muskoka? Along the river in Bracebridge.

Favourite place to hike, bike or walk in Muskoka? Wilson's Falls trail.

If you weren’t an artist/craftsperson, what would you be instead? An otter. I was born an artist.

Update: Pat is not a current member of the Studio Tour, please visit her website to contact her directly.

Name: Brian Markham
Medium: Wood turning

How long have you worked in this medium? My grandfather taught me how to work at the lathe as a boy. I enjoyed turning as a hobby until 2007 when I moved full-time to Muskoka and was able to spend more time in my workshop. 

Were you formally trained or self-taught? I am self-taught. My skills and techniques for turning and finishing my bowls have evolved and developed as I have had more time at the lathe. 

What do you love about your medium? I love the mystery of wood. You never know what you will find in a burl until you begin to turn it. I discover the intricate patterns of grain, the shades and colours of the wood and bark inclusions as it takes shape on the lathe. Having burl bowls, platters and furniture is like bringing the forest into your home. It is a connection to nature. 

What do you listen to when you’re working in the studio? I enjoy listening to rock music. 

Favourite things to do when you’re not working in the studio? I am an avid cyclist and just completed the TriMuskokan race in Huntsville. 

Favourite book? The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

How long have you lived in Muskoka? I have been a cottager on Rebecca Lake since 1988 and a full-time resident since 2007. 

Favourite restaurants in Muskoka? The Norsemen Restaurant and Muskoka on the Rocks are my favourite local restaurants. 

Favourite road to drive in Muskoka? Limberlost Road, especially in the fall. The autumn leaves are dramatic and colourful. 

Favourite place to hike, bike or walk in Muskoka? I often bike into Algonquin Park. 

Update: Brian is not a current member of the Studio Tour, please visit his website to contact him directly.

('Ask the Artist' is an ongoing Q&A series that provides a little bit of insight into the lives of the members of the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour)
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This autumn, visitors to the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour will have three new studios to explore. Mark Reeder is both a commercial photographer and a painter who works exclusively in oil using techniques based on those of the Old Masters. During the tour, Mark's studio in Dwight will highlight his landscape, portrait and still life paintings.

Update: Mark Reeder is not a current member of the Studio Tour, please visit his website to contact him directly.

Also joining the tour is wool artist, Pam Carnochan. Using the hand dyed wool from the sheep that reside on her century farm (located just outside of Huntsville), Pam has developed her own technique called "Watercolours with Wool". Visit Pam's studio to learn more about her process and to view the Muskoka inspired landscapes she creates with wool.

Mary-Ruth Newell (aka The Village Potter) will also be joining the tour this year. Located between Huntsville and Utterson, Mary-Ruth creates a complete line of quality, durable stoneware that is fired in a wood-fuelled down draft kiln that Mary-Ruth and her husband built themselves. Be sure to visit her studio to see her collection of traditionally inspired work and to check out her kiln!

This year we also say a fond farewell to several studios. We wish all the best to Lindgren Pottery, Christine Marshall, Susan Higgins, Linda Potts and Elise Muller & Cirvan Hamilton as they pursue other interests and avenues in their creative careers. All of these artists and craftspeople enriched The Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour through their participation and we thank them for their help in building the strong reputation of Canada's Original Studio Tour!

The Artists of the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour invite you to explore Muskoka's dramatic autumn landscape and to see where the past year's inspiration has taken us.
We open our studios on September 27, 28 and October 4, 5 from 10:00 to 6:00 to share our art and the process behind it through discussion, demonstration and display.
Two weekends of discovery await you!  We encourage you to visit your favourites and to explore something new.

Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour is pleased to welcome Sue Pritchard to the lineup of talented artists who will open our studios to the public in our 36th tour.  You are invited to two weekends of demonstration and display which will occur on September 27-28 and October 4-5, 2014 from 10:00 to 6:00. 


Plan to visit Sue's workshop to see her one-of-a-kind art and learn about the skill of woodturning. Sue turns blocks of Maple, Beech or Ash on a lathe in her home based workshop. Each piece is given a natural finish to allow the grains of the work to stand out.  


Sue’s award winning bowls are textured or beaded on the outside, using an assortment of carving tool or chisels to get the desired effect. They are then treated with wood stains, waxes and gilt creams in warm colors, many pieces reminiscent of fall in Muskoka or the rich blue hues of the areas lakes. All pieces are unique and individual.

Update: Sue is not a current member of the Studio Tour, please visit her website to contact her directly.