Art lovers will get an opportunity to explore six Foothills studios and galleries when the 2024 edition of the Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta takes place on Sept. 20- 21.
The aptly-named, self-guided tour is an all-access event, allowing participants to visit several private studios that usually welcome the public by appointment only.
All venues are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, although galleries may be open earlier/later than the official tour hours.
You can start anywhere on the route, visiting the venues in whatever order you please, all the while enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery of the Foothills along the way.
The tour draws art lovers from throughout the region and beyond who come to see the community of artists, craftspeople and galleries that make the Foothills a cultural hotbed.
The following venues are taking part in this year’s tour:
Blanca Botero-Fuentes
Widely ranging in subject and media, Botero-Fuentes finds inspiration in the natural world, the beauty of language, the mystery of memory and the transcendent power of music, to produce a body of work which she hopes the viewer finds surprising and engaging.
Bluerock Gallery
A destination gallery located at the heart of the Cowboy Trail, Bluerock Gallery features fine art and craft in all media by over 200 regional artists. If offers a great choice of gifts as well as an eclectic and inspiring book and card section.
Firebrand Glass Studio
The studio is home to award-winning artists Julia Reimer and Tyler Rock, whose work is collected internationally and included in the private collections of Canada's prime minister and the emperor of Japan.
Kristoferson Studio
Specializing in unique hand-dyed and painted papers, the late Susan Kristoferson created complex collage “paintings” and unique objects. Her Foothills ridgetop view of the Rockies inspired work that has been shown in 200-plus exhibitions.
Leighton Art Centre
A vibrant and open space for creativity, Leighton Art Centre operates a heritage home, museum, galleries, outdoor trails, and an art and nature education centre on 80 acres with spectacular mountain views. The centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Mady Thiel-Kopstein
Thiel-Kopstein’s paintings, frequently inspired by her time spent in nature, conjure up the atmosphere and depth of multiple layers of colour and light, stirring a certain familiarity and a strong connection with the natural world.
For more information about the tour, visit themostbeautifularttourinalberta.com.
