It is a special treat to be invited into an artist's sanctified dominion and on the last weekend each September the public is invited to enter local studios for the annual Tri-Lakes "Artist at Work Studio Tour." We have friends that are artists. I have brought my children through a painter's loft, woodcarver's shop and peeked in the windows of the weaver's domain. They have been shown how glass is blown and photographs are developed and altered. I want my children to know that sculptures, buildings and the artwork that surrounds them are produced by someone and presented in an original and unique way. Each piece is carefully conceived, cultivated and then lovingly given over to a new caretaker to enjoy.

My children work so hard on their own projects and understand the diligence and love it takes to create projects of the depth that full-time artists achieve. My daughter exclaims when we visit the Adirondack Artist's Guild, "Wow, those people can really color in between the lines." My son corrects her and lets her know that you only color in the lines in kindergarten. He is way beyond that stage. He declares it is much harder to color without them. He is right. We visit studios surrounded by artwork of various mediums from various artists who have made the distinction to no longer color inside the lines. They test the limits and provide their view through their artwork.

Blacksmith part of Artist at Work Tour
David Woodward, Blacksmith as part of the TriLakes Art Tour

We plan on focusing our time on just certain areas of the tour and will have to wait until next year to see the rest. With over 30 artists willingly opening up their studios, we can only concentrate on a few. My husband assumes that I'll come home with something. Hmm, that would be nice. I don't always have to buy; it is sometimes enough just to watch the process.

The tour covers quite a bit of geography from west of Saranac Lake through Lake Placid, Wilmington and into Jay. There will even be a reading on Sunday from the Lake Placid Poet's Guild. So whether your leaf-peaking or taking a quick Adirondack hike, this activity will provide a different sense of calm. 

Winona Jewelry in Wilmington
Winona Jewelry in Wilmington is part of the TriLakes Art Tour

Modeled after the St. Lawrence County Artist Studio Tours, Sandy Hildreth (known for her landscapes and Adirondack mandalas) enlisted two other local artists Donna Foley and Diane Leifheit to recreate the event in theTri-Lakes area. The annual Tri-Lakes Artist at Work Studio Tour will take place Friday and Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-4 (September 23-25, 2011). The self-guided tours are free and open to the public. For more information please call 891-2615, or on the web for a detailed map and direction to the various studios. 

All photos and content ©Diane Chase (excluding the TriLakes Artist at Work flyer), This post is based on Diane's guidebook Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes & High Peaks: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities (with GPS Coordinates), covering the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Keene/Keene Valley, Jay/Upper Jay and Wilmington. Diane next guidebook of Adirondack Family Activities in this four-book series will cover the Adirondack East Coast from Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga.