Some of the 37 artists participating in the Great Falls Virtual Studio Tour include, clockwise from upper left, Cindy Grisdela – fiber, Jill Banks – painter, Walt Lawrence – photographer, Begona Morton – painter, Jennifer Duncan – mixed media, Laura Nichols – potter, Joyce Lee – painter, Mike McDermott – photographer, Lochini Johnston – painter, Parinaz Bahadori – painter, Vad Moskowitz – fiber and Robin Smith – potter. Photo contributed
Things are a little different this year, and in this case, in a good way. Instead of the self-guided physical tour visits throughout Great Falls, guests can venture into artists’ creative spaces without climbing into their cars. Starting on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. – the “doors” of the Great Falls Virtual Studio Tour open to video tours from 24 artists and the Arts of Great Falls, more art from the rest of the 37 artists participating plus 20+ online studio shops offering hundreds of pieces of original art – created by your neighbors. Those shops offer you the potential of being a 5-star gift giver, whether the present is for yourself or others, with the offerings handmade by an artist you know. Every piece has a story of maker and its making. Your ticket to Studio Tour is free. Just type https://www.greatfallsstudios.com/ into your browser and let the journey begin.
The mainly homegrown videos are a labor of love with artists operating well outside of their comfort zones filling the shoes of producers with the help of spouses, grandkids, kids, volunteers and friends. They condense hours and sometimes months into this newly created view of the quieter, gentler, simpler and awesome world artists occupy. The lengths and content vary wildly … as do the individuals who made them. There are some real gems here that will open your eyes to the time, talent and dedication that go into creating something magical out of clay, paint, wood, yarn, fabric, paper and camera.
How, Where and When
Enjoy the tour from the comfort of your own home, wherever that is with the “show” arriving via your computer from https://www.greatfallsstudios.com/. No software, skills, apps or vehicles needed for the main event. Visit now to catch a preview. For those interested in purchasing and picking up art, at least one day will be set for easy pick up in the Great Falls Village Centre. You can shop for art, easily connect with the artists and replay most content through November 30.
Connecting Art and Community
“Studio Tour has always been this great gathering, with people coming together from all over the region to be a part of the magic of art,” says Jill Banks, Great Falls Virtual Studio Tour Chair and award-winning Impressionist oil painter who’s been an artist participant since 2004.
The event is hosted by Great Falls Studios, a consortium of artists who work and/or live in Great Falls producing art in a variety of mediums. Studio Tour has been this organization’s Signature event since its founding in 2003.
Helping support and promote the event are Celebrate Great Falls as the Community Sponsor and the Arts of Great Falls as Community Partner. A regular part of tours past has been pointing the way to the neighborhood restaurants offering you a break from absorbing all that art inspiration. This year, you’ll find even more of those great dining spots featured on our Community page with info about how they are celebrating the artful, wonderful town of Great Falls. Everyone has had to scramble to survive and find connections in these pandemic-ridden times. None of these connections, partnerships or sponsorships are paid – but instead the community joining together helping make sure you find your way to this window into a different world starting Nov. 14. You can follow @greatfallsstudios on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe at https://www.greatfallsstudios.com/ to get reminders of the event opening.
For more general information about the tour, contact Jill@JillBanks.com.
Great Falls Virtual Studio Tour
What: Take a video journey into 25 creative spaces of artists of Great Falls Studios + galleries of 37 artist + 20 online Studio shops
Where: https://www.greatfallsstudios.com/
When: Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to Nov. 30, 9 p.m.
Why: Because learning about, experiencing, making and collecting art makes your life richer, fuller, better, happier.