BACK ROADS OF BROWN COUNTY TOUR
Driving Tour of Artists’ and Craftsmen’s Studios

As summer wanes and the leaves begin to change colors in Brown County, a devoted group of artisans work long hours in their studios creating their signature artwork.

Sandee Hazelbaker

Sandee Hazelbaker. photo by George Bredewater

The artists that take part in the “Back Roads of Brown County” driving tour have spent months preparing for the October-long event.

They are tending their kilns and turning their potters’ wheels, wielding soldering irons, weaving row after row of yarn on their looms and sitting long hours at easels, brushes in hand. They are laying out colorful palettes of paint, glazes, yarns, stained glass. Still others, with cameras in hand, are going out and photographing the world around them in a slightly different way than the rest of us see.

These artists are all dedicated to their art and they think that a great way for others to experience art is in the studio. They want people to see how they work and what inspires them. They want to be able to talk with visitors and share experiences of life in the county as a working artist. They hope visitors will take home a piece of Brown County art because the leaves will soon be gone, but the artwork will endure.

Artists and studios taking part in this year’s Back Roads Tour are:

Michael and Jennifer Burt/Burt Studios – Stained glass and jewelry.

Chris Gustin/Homestead Weaving Studio – Hand-woven “recycled” rugs, shawls, scarves, clothing.

Sandee Hazelbaker/Cabin Ridge Studio-Gallery – Original artwork, prints, cards, ornaments.

Rick and Debbie Henson/For Simplicity’s Sake – loom-woven ponchos and outerwear.

Lynn Lynch Hughes/Memories to Keep, Ink

– Pen & ink renderings of homes, pets and historical sites.

Amanda W. Mathis/A.W. Mathis Primitive Paintings – Acrylic primitive paintings.

Anne Ryan Miller/Anne Ryan Miller Glass Studio – Stained glass with metal overlay.

Cheri Platter/Faerie Hollow Pottery Studio – Floral porcelain pottery, sculpture, tile work.

Greg Schatz /Schatz Studio and Gallery

– Glazed functional pottery and unique wood-fired stoneware and porcelain.

Susan W. Showalter/Goat Hill Studio & Gallery – Photography and handmade paper.

Larry Spears and Kyle Spears/Spears Gallery – Hand-crafted pottery and fine art photography.

Sheryl VanVleck/VanVleck Studio

– Pottery featuring whimsical animals, oil and pastel portraits.

Mindy Weddle/Carmel Ridge Clayworks – Functional and decorative stoneware, photography.

The tour is self-guided and free.

Some studios will have “silent auctions” of art with proceeds benefiting the Brown County Art Scholarship Fund.

Maps are available at Brown County Inn, Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Brown County Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Information Center, at each studio, many local businesses and most lodging in the area.

More information and a map are available on the tour website <www.BrownCountyStudioTour.com>.