Purple Hills are alive
Clearview Township, Ont.
With autumn's rust, orange and gold frosting leaves outside the city, take to the hills for this weekend's crop of DIY studio tours. Here's one to try: Combine a gorgeous drive along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment with visits to local artists' studios for this year's Purple Hills Studio Tour. Begin the day in Creemore, to preview the artists' work, then drive out to Stayner, Nottawasaga and down into Duntroon and Dunedin to see the works of 41 artists, including David Bruce Johnson, Pamela Branch and Suzanne Woods, who work in sculpture, glass, fabric, wood and on canvas.
Cost: Free.
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Clearview Township, nearly two hours from
Toronto.
How: For more information, call 705-466-6317 or visit http://www.arttour.ca.
Artists unite
Erin, Ont.
Not far away in the charming yet upscale town of Erin, artists are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Hills of Erin Studio Tour. Some of the six founding members still participate, but with 38 artists and artisans opening their doors and showing off their wares in the villages of Erin, Hillsburgh and Orton, a few new faces spring up each year too. Look out for Barb Ross, Lucille Weber, Norman Wilson and others. Don't forget to pop into Everdale Farm just down the road to pick up fresh veggies and admire the rural autumn view.
Cost: Free.
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Erin, about 1½ hours from Toronto.
How: For more information, call 519-855-6320 or visit
hillsoferinstudiotour.com.
Studios and samples
Muskoka, Ont.
The summer cottage traffic is petering out just in time for the granddaddy of all artsy Ontario excursions, the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. Do your part to help bridge the gap between creator and patron on this self-guided tour and pop in on the likes of painter John Murden, woodturner Don Thur and Bonnie Bews, who works in reverse glass painting. There's a lot of road to cover, so make a weekend of it and rent a cottage with off-season rates.
Cost: Free.
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Muskoka, about 2½ hours from Toronto.
How: For more information, call 705-687-6521 or visit
tour.muskoka.com.