What better way to spend a summer day or weekend than to 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, adventurers and anyone interested in discovering Saskatchewan’s picturesque treasures nestled along the route.
July 30 and 31, studio workshops hosted by artists and craftspeople of the area surrounding Medstead, Belbutte, Glenbush, and Glaslyn, 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, 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 in the tour, the smaller area may make it easier for you to accomplish the entire tour at your leisure, take time to visit and to enjoy the scenery.
However, if you are unable to get to all the venues during the two tour 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.
You can experience a wealth of talent and diversity of content and process in a variety of mediums, with new creations to enjoy each year. As an extra bonus you may see bison, alpacas, mosaics, beautiful gardens and perhaps wildlife along the way.
In the town of Glaslyn, you will find new member, Jessica Burns, at Jessica’s Sweets and Treats, who designs and bakes elaborately decorated cakes for special occasions and other yummy goodies that you can purchase to take home or take along on the tour.
This year Aaron Johnson of Boreal Rustics will setting up his display including furniture, picture frames and other creations made from logs and wood often artistically decorated with antlers and other found objects at the arena in Medstead.
At the same site will be Ruth Painter of Ruth’s Creations displaying her beautiful creations lovingly crocheted for both adults and children of all ages so you’re sure to find something for yourself or for your “someone special.”
South and west of Medstead, nestled in among the woods, is the gallery style home of an accomplished artist, Dorothy Schmidt at Shady Lane Studio, overflowing with original oil paintings depicting the Saskatchewan landscape she loves to paint.
South of Glenbush visit another artist, Lavonne Dyck, at Portraits and More who displays 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 you can purchase a supply of natural, hand-made soap products made from buffalo tallow and herbs. She also makes beautiful unique jewelry and mosaics.
You will definitely want to visit Debbie Dzialo at Ukrainian Creations. Besides her lovely 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, you will find the widely renowned wildlife and landscape artist Dave Hiebert from Forest Edge Studio with an awesome array of original paintings and prints.
This is what previous enthusiastic 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!”
Passion, creation, countryside – plan to eat out or pack a picnic, 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 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 or visit www.northernhorizons.ca. You can also follow Northern Horizons Journey of Creativity on Facebook.
