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28 Artscene Art for all By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF ATANUR DOGAN · FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009 OAS Artist Studio Tour Nov. 7 & 8, free admission chance to see fresh faces and new artwork. The majority of the artwork on display will also be available for purchase. Hoyer said many visitors use the opportunity to get a head start on their Christmas shopping. "It is a really personal gift that is one of a kind, which makes it really special," he said. "It is better than diamonds." While there are new studios and artists featured on the tour, the same low price for the tour remains. Admission is free. "We believe art should be open to everyone to experience," said Frisch. "Art should be something that everyone can enjoy." Organizers say the event is ideal for families and art lovers of all ages. "We see a whole range of people," said Frisch. "We've had kids three or four years old in their strollers to seniors of any age. There is something for everyone, which is the beauty of the event." A show featuring works by participating artists is currently on display at the Oakville Art Society gallery until Nov. 10. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Oakville Art Society Artist Studio Tour runs Nov. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m.-5 p. m. Admission is free. Brochures with a map will be available at all eight locations on the days of the event, as well as on the Oakville Art Society's website. For information, call the Oakville Art Society at 905-827-5711 or go online to their website at www.oakvilleartsociety.com. GEORGE AL-BAZI HELEN HENDRY JIM HAGAN The Oakville Art Society's Artist Studio Tour is back by popular demand on Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8. This is the fourth year of the annual event, which draws 400 to 500 art lovers each year. This is the largest year yet, with 24 artists featured. These artists will be showcased at eight locations, including six private studios and two group shows. "The purpose of the studio tour is for members of the community to come see artists working in their own environments and get a chance to know them one-on-one," said Edward Hoyer, a local abstract artist who will be featured in the tour and coordinator of this year's event. "You get to really talk to them, see their art and the artists can explain what their work is all about. There is no pressure, it is all about interacting with the artist." Private studios are Atanur Dogan, 2150 Overfield Rd.; Marguerite Broten and Darla McNevin, 2338 Lakeshore Rd. W.; Elizabeth Elkin, 2019 Grand Blvd.; Carly Stern, 480 Chamberlain Lane; Halina Grzyb, 136 Westside Dr.; Joanna Turlej and Tad Dunin, 2097 Grand Blvd. "We had a lot of feedback saying that a studio tour is really about having private studios open to the public and people want to see that, so we wanted to feature a mixture of private studios and group locations," said Sabine Frisch, manager of the Oakville Art Society. One of the two groups shows will be held at Oakville Art Society, 560 Bronte Rd. featuring George AlBazi, Vivian Chan, Sharane Gilbert, Helen Hendry, Anne Oakley, Marvin Olsen, Lil O'Reilly and Gunta White. The second group show will be held up the street at Quality Suites, 754 Bronte Rd. with artists Lyn Estall, Mae Giroux, Jim Hagan, Cheryl Hailstone, Elena Henderson, Edward Hoyer, Mary Knowland, John Reid and Heidi Rohde. "Most people are amazed at how many talented people we have right here in Oakville," Frisch said. Demonstrations will be taking place at both the group shows and in the private studios. CARLY STERN "This gives a chance for the public to really relate to the artist by seeing them create in their own environment." TAD DUNIN Edward Hoyer Studio Tour coordinator "This gives a chance for the public to really relate to the artist by seeing them create in their own environment," Hoyer said. "People ask questions and the artists are only too happy to share information about their art." A variety of subject matter and media will be featured, such as oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolour paintings, woodcarving. sculpture, jewelry, pottery and more. The artists are all high calibre, with a jury selecting who gets to take part in this popular annual event. "A lot of the artists are award winning," said Hoyer. And many of the artists are new to the tour, giving return visitors a LYN ESTALL JOANNA TURLEJ CHERYL HAILSTONE GUNTA WHITE ELENA HENDERSON MARGUERITE BROTEN EDWARD HOYER