Art Harvest Studio Tour Returns

The Art Harvest Studio Tour of Yamhill County, closing in on its 30th year, is a confluence of autumnal wonders that nourishes the spirit in a multitude of ways. It’s an occasion for artistry and creativity to intersect with fellowship and camaraderie, made possible by visiting with local artists in the cozy places where they work their alchemy. 

And if you’re in McMinnville, the tour this year has never been so easy, nor have there been so many choices of studios. When I asked tour coordinator James Nelson what advice he’d give to someone who has never experienced the self-guided tour, his answer was simple:

“Come to the All Artists Exhibition in McMinnville and you will see two pieces by every artist,” he said. Starting this weekend, the Rose of Third Street, 516 N 3rd Street downtown, will feature work by two dozen local artists, and tour catalogs and the admission buttons will also be available. “It’s open every weekend of September, and it’s a way to see all the work, and you can start deciding who you want to see.” 

Similar, regional-centric displays will be available at the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce in Newberg, which has nearly as many artists as McMinnville this year, and at the Land & Sea Gallery in Amity, which has nearly a dozen. 

Fifty-six artists are on board for this year’s tour, which is set for Oct. 7-8 and 13-15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both weekends. You’ll find work in every medium imaginable: oil and watercolor, acrylic, bronze, copper, steel, glass, stone, pastels, charcoal and much more. Although the tour isn’t technically a demonstration, all artists will have work in progress in their studios and also finished work for sale.

“We can never predict the audience,” Nelson said. “Some buy a lot of art, some are collectors, some never buy any art, but they just want to meet the artists and see the work. The tour has everybody from emerging to well-established artists, which I think is a strength, the variety of artists to visit with. I think that’s really important.”

Even for those who may not be able to afford to buy a piece of art, the tour itself is affordable to virtually all: Tour buttons, good for all artists all six days, are available for $10. In McMinnville, those are available at Currents Gallery, The Merri Artist and Pacific Frame & Gallery.

If you’d like to start some of your planning and reconnaissance now, hop online and visit the official website at www.artharveststudiotour.org, or on Instagram @art_harvest_studio_tour. See you on the tour!

David Bates is a McMinnville writer who has appeared in Gallery Theater productions since 1998.

---