The 13th annual 12-40 and Beyond tour takes place in the Blaine Lake, Hafford, Marcelin and Leask areas July 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days.
You are invited to take the self-guided tour and meet the friendly group of artists and artisans as they welcome you to their home workshops and studios. All venues are easy to find as bright red elevator signs mark the way. Each venue is unique and welcoming and most have picnic tables and washroom facilities.
Site 1, Heavenly Hills Orchard, where tasting is encouraged, is tucked in the rolling hills south of Blaine Lake. The Timm family welcome you to enjoy shade parking and a pleasant picnic area as you pick or sample berries.
Christine Watson of Pagangel Productions is situated at Site 2 in Hafford. Her passion for photography has been a lifelong dream as she captures the magic of the world around her.
Site 4, Petrofka Bridge Orchard, is under the new management of Jeff and Diana Fedosoff. They carry on the tradition of dehydrated apple slices, apple soft cider, apple cider vinegar and homemade apple pies as well as fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of meat products from local suppliers.
You are invited to take a walk through the beautiful orchard trails and enjoy the landscape with a picnic on the small riverfront beach.
Take a step back in time at Site 10, General Store Memories Museum and Antiques where Bill Nemish will show you through a two-story building housing a huge variety of nicely displayed collectibles including antique glassware, old tools, records, bottles, postcards and license plates. Silver coins can be taken on trade.
Site 12, Harder’s Traditional Crafts, is located at Lac La Peche where visitors meet three generations of weavers and needle workers while enjoying a lakefront view. Demonstrations of the century-old art of weaving will be held both days. Other craft items are also available.
While you are in the lake area, take the scenic drive to Emerald Lake where you will find Buck and Sandy Lafond at Site 14. Nikihnan Crafts is home to Buck’s workshop where his scroll saw skill is used to create useful and decorative wood items including scenes from nature, animals, native-inspired designs and Christmas tree decorations.
Sandy does the finishing for Buck and, as well, she uses soft tanned deer hides to make jewelry and other items.
Site 5, Ev McDonald’s Artwork in Marcelin, is home to artist/photographer Ev McDonald who is enjoying her second year with our 12-40 group. Ev has a bachelor of fine arts in studio art from the University of Saskatchewan. Her body of work includes landscape, cityscape, still life and plant life. She is a member of Northern Images Photographers in Prince Albert.
Prairie Leather and Art by Connie Leask, Site 8, is also situated near Marcelin. Her varied display includes leather purses, cases and pouches as well as a variety of slippers and faux fur lined mitts. Saddlebags and other horse/cattlemen items are available. Her eye for detail along with excellent craftsmanship makes each item unique.
She has something new and exciting every year as she says she will make “whatever I dream up!” She was honoured this year at the 2014 Focus on Women Trade Show in Prince Albert where she received a plaque for the best booth in the show.
Pop’s Old Forge, Site 9, is a well-known farm site near Marcelin operated by Hubert and Alice Smith. Hubert designs and makes tools, barbecue utensils and ornamental garden railings as well as garden decorations. He also teaches the art of blacksmithing in the winter months.
This winter he spent many hours designing and building a horseless carriage which he has shown in local area parades. Both Hubert and Alice spend many volunteer hours at vintage power demonstrations in Prince Albert and the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon. Un-serviced camping is available at this site.
Site 3a, Spirit of the Prairie Art and Teaching Studio located off Highway 40 between Blaine Lake and Marcelin, is where artist Doreen Kalmakoff teaches painting classes, mosaics and other art-related workshops. Guests and students from many parts of Canada and other countries have visited this studio. Doreen accepts portrait and landscape commissions and has been involved in many mural projects in the communities of Blaine Lake, Marcelin and Leask.
Guests will be welcomed by classical guitar music by Ed Bajak at different times during the weekend. Original paintings, prints, art mugs and art cards are available for sale. Be sure to ask for information about art classes and workshops for the 2015 fall sessions. Picnic areas and outdoor washroom facilities are available.
Site 3b, Fascinating Fabrics by Florence Cheveldayoff, has been a favourite stop for visitors over the years. Her lifelong fascination with unique fabrics, dyes and textures is exemplified in her creations. Her display will focus on bags, batiks and seasonal pieces.
Site 3c, Photography by Karen, is truly inspired by nature. Experienced photographer Karen Wudrick-Mattock’s passion to photograph nature and landscape has led her on many early morning adventures in local areas as well as other countries.
Whether it is the first prairie crocus or a lion found on safari in Kenya, Karen has been there to capture the moment. Her work is whimsical and beautiful as she looks for the unusual in the usual. Her preferred technique is to shoot in natural light and compose within the lens. Karen’s artwork is available in various forms – photography on canvas, matted prints, art cards and journal books.
Site 3d, Lori Has Hives – Lori Dyck is a welcome addition to the group this year. She has lived in all parts of Canada and has chosen to settle down in the Blaine Lake area. After her extensive dabbling in the culinary arts as a Red Seal chef in the Okanagan she decided to become queen bee of her small beekeeping operation on a prairie farm.
She will offer a variety of artwork, pure unpasteurized honey, whole wheat bread made from freshly ground wheat, beeswax candles and homemade soaps. Stop by and say hello while you smell the goodness the Saskatchewan prairie has to offer.
Printable brochures are available at www12-40andbeyond.com as well as at local businesses in each of the communities. For more information, call Doreen at 306-497-2801 or Karen at 306-466-7972.
