Prepare to be Surprised and Delighted by Your Art Tour Weekend
Starting with the Return of the Main Gallery
Remember the dazzling visual display that greeted you at the Main Gallery at the Washington School for the 2019 Tour? It’s back this year with all the colorful variety of artwork produced by more than 80 fine artists in 28 studios and 8 galleries throughout the county. The always popular students’ displays will adorn the surrounding walls as well.
What is even better about this year’s Gallery is that admission is free. You can start your self-guided tour anywhere you choose but you can see a sample of all the artists’ work at the Main Gallery that will give you a good sense of what awaits you on your scenic journey of studio and gallery visits.
There are other benefits of stopping at the Main Gallery, starting with the Rappahannock County High School’s bake and soup sale out front. Coffee and cider too! Pick up some tasty treats and help out the Junior class with their fundraising. Friendly volunteers will greet you inside and provide you with a Tour map and other information.
While you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for the free raffle of dinner for two at the world-renown Inn at Little Washington. And you can start taking photos of your own Tour experience for this year’s photo contest. You may submit up to 5 photos of whatever catches your eye during the weekend. Three winners will have their photos published in the Rappahannock News.
What’s New at the Studios and Galleries
First and foremost, all of the art will be new and surprising to visitors. The artists have been diligently working over the past months to create works of art for this extraordinary event. Regardless of their particular mediums, materials, and creative process, they all share the desire to show their work, answer questions, and hear your reflections.
Four artists, Paul and Tina Falkenbury, Nora Harrington, and Charlie Tompkins, are opening their studios on the Tour for the first time. Seize this special opportunity to visit with them and see their work this weekend!
Plan your Weekend Ahead
It’s never been easier or more convenient to put your own Tour plan together in advance. All of the information you need is available on this website. You can learn about the artists, galleries, and their work, find their locations on the printable map, and get information about food (grab and go, carry-out, and dine in) and other services. There is so much to choose from. You can decide what path you want to follow to satisfy your interests and appetite.
We hope to have the chance to introduce many of you to the Tour offerings in person at the Main Gallery. It will be exciting to see the
wide range of talented artists in the Rappahannock community displaying their art together. Whatever path you choose, we know that it
will be full of surprising sights and experiences.
Explore and Enjoy!
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES OVER TOUR WEEKEND
Many artists will be demonstrating their process and medium over Tour weekend, and some will have special activities and information over the course of the weekend. Here are a few examples:
Donna Brune
Donna plans to start small group and personal sessions in watercolor, acrylic, and collage in her studio in 2024, and will have information available in her studio over Tour weekend.
Michael Dennis
Michael and his sister and cousin have been busy baking loads of amazing cookies and will once again have a beautiful seating area and snacks for Tour goers to enjoy.
Jason Goldman
Jason will be doing live turning demos randomly throughout the weekend.
Ron Paras
Ron will premiere 19 images selected from his new photographic series, Moods and Connotations, at his studio. The series, comprised of 36 large scale prints, is the result of a year-long photographic journey that delved into the interplay between atmosphere and emotions. Paras began work on the series in November of 2022 shooting in and around Rappahannock County and later in locations as distant as the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Ruthie Windsor-Mann
For the first time during the tour, Ruthie will have a guest in her studio – Betsy Brantley will have her exquisite, fabric covered brick doorstops/bookends. Betsy’s website is https://www.shoptoadstool.com.
Ruthie will also be signing her new book, 12 Months on 12 Acres, which was published in early October. It was made possible by a grant from RAAC’s Claudia Mitchell Fund and is a sketchbook of all that can be seen from the 12 acres upon which my studio sits.
Some sketching might be going on over the weekend.
What could be a more lasting or pleasurable memento of an extraordinary experience in beautiful Rappahannock County than supporting a local gallery or working artist?
And mark your calendars – next year’s Tour – our 19th! – is November 2 – 3, 2024!
The Fall Art Tour is sponsored by the Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community.
All net proceeds from the Tour go towards the Claudia Mitchell Arts Fund.
For more information on RAAC and all its programs, please visit www.raac.org.