Self-drive art tour hosted Aug. 2 and 3

Summer is a social and active season! What better way to explore the fullness of summer than to head out on a beautiful country drive down winding roads, past lush forests, glimmering lakes, refreshing coulees, imposing canyons and rolling parkland for the annual Northern Horizons Journey of Creativity.

This experience is for art lovers, explorers, adventurers and anyone interested in discovering Saskatchewan's picturesque treasures nestled along the route. Aug. 2 and 3, studio workshops hosted by artists and craftspeople of the area surrounding Medstead, Belbutte, Glenbush, Livelong and Turtle Lake 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 to visit any or all of the studios. Horizon signs will be posted to help mark the trail. Choose your route according to where you are coming from and where you most want to visit. If you wish to visit all the studios, start out early or plan to make an enjoyable weekend of it. If you are unable to get to all the venues during the two tour days when the displays are set up specially for the public, many of the artists would be happy to have you visit at another time by appointment.

You can experience a wealth of talent and diversity of content and process in an astounding variety of mediums, with new creations to enjoy each year. As an extra bonus you may see bison, elk, miniature ponies, mosaics, beautiful gardens and perhaps wildlife along the way.

A bit north of Livelong is the quaint little studio of Starla Denny at Chick-a-D's Studio with her charmingly unique rock paintings. Joining Starla at Chick-a-D's is oil painter, Bonnie Denny painting beautiful landscapes, people and animals and Frank Denny with his awesome wood-turning items made from a variety of native and exotic woods.

Near scenic Turtle Lake you will find the studios of artists Margaret Grist at Atelier 25, Marilyn Kennedy at Select Studio and Anne Nordstrom who will thrill you with their diverse and wonderfully creative artworks of drawings, paintings and pottery. Kristina Karlsson is joining Margaret at Atelier 25 with her beautiful sterling silver jewelry designed in a Scandinavian style and also her pottery carved with organic patterns.

South and west of Medstead, nestled in among the woods, is the gallery style home of another accomplished artist, Dorothy Schmidt at Shady Lane Studio, overflowing with oil paintings depicting the Saskatchewan landscape she loves to paint.

South of Glenbush visit Lavonne Dyck at Portraits and More who displays her softly and realistically drawn portraits in graphite, or coloured pencil, her beautiful rugs woven on her large floor loom and photography.

In the same area is Barb Janzen at Lost Horse Lake Soap Company where you can purchase a supply of natural hand-made soap products made from buffalo tallow and herbs. She also makes unique jewelry from elk horn harvested on their farm.

You will definitely want to visit Debbie Dzialo at Ukrainian Creations. Besides her collection of Ukrainian crafts she is an incredible cook and will serve you a meal or you can purchase homemade pyrohy, holubtsi or baking to take home in your cooler.

At Belbutte meet Dale and Laura Budd at Last Best West Studios, a very talented couple who operate a music recording studio, an award winning production studio, a pottery and woodworking studio and a bonsai tea garden.

Nearby you will also find the widely renowned wildlife and landscape artist, Dave Hiebert.

This is what previous enthusiastic travelers 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!" Passion, creation, countryside - plan to eat out or pack a picnic, brochure, friends and family into a car and discover some of the many wonderful hidden talents and treasures concealed along the quiet byways of rural Saskatchewan! Join the celebration of creativity!

For more information and a map visit www.northernhorizons.ca or pick up a brochure complete with a map, directions, and commentary on individual artists available from businesses, art galleries and information centers in the area.