BLUE COAST ARTISTS ANNOUNCE 20th ANNUAL STUDIO TOUR OCTOBER 3rd & 4th

COPYRIGHTED GREATER FENNVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Greater Fennville Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 484 Fennville, MI 49408

For twenty years the Blue Coast Artists have been delighting and educating the public with their annual Fall Tour of Studios. Viewers are invited once again to experience the creative process in action on Sat. & Sun. Oct. 3rd and 4th.

See a piece of pottery form, watch glass beads take shape in the torch, a tree come alive through brushstrokes or a bird emerge from a piece of wood. These are just a few of the demonstrations that art lovers of all ages are sure to enjoy during the 20th Annual Blue Coast Artists Fall Tour of Studios. This annual West Michigan autumn event runs from 10AM-6PM both days and is free of charge.

The Blue Coast Artists Fall Tour began in 1989 when glassblowers Jerry & Kathy Catania, weaver and furniture maker Barb & Al Bare and potter Mark Williams held their open houses on the same weekend. Over the past twenty years the group has included many artists working in many media and their Fall Tour continues to be an educational and interesting experience for all.

The 2009 tour includes six working artists' studios located between South Haven and Saugatuck. Each site features demonstrations, original artwork, refreshments and more. Hands-on art making projects, unique art abodes, a haunted garden and fall color makes this creative experience fun for the whole family. The tour can be completed in one day and a tour map is available at each site or on the web at: www.bluecoastartists.com

The 2009 Blue Coast Artists Fall Tour includes:

1) Lattner Studio (319 Blue Star Hwy., South Haven) The studio of Suzi Lattner Zwissler features her original paintings and drawings in a variety of media. The gardens and woodland that surround her home inspire Suzi. She will be on hand demonstrating pastel drawing
techniques.

2) Blue Star Pottery (337 Blue Star Hwy., South Haven) Mark Williams uses a variety of textures to decorate his functional stoneware pieces. Watch demonstrations of hand building and wheel throwing. Also featured are his highly textured slab work pitchers, casseroles and
teapots. Come see his new expanded and improved studio. Mark will open a new kiln load of his work daily on tour weekend.

3) Khnemu Studio LLC (6322 113th Ave., Fennville) Enjoy the fall harvest at this restored 1890's farm estate, complete with a post-n-beam barn which houses a unique contemporary fine art and craft gallery featuring over 20 local artists, and the working studio of ceramic artist Dawn Soltysiak. Dawn will have wheel throwing, Raku pottery firing and also a "make & take" art opportunity for kids of all ages.

4) Blue Roan Studio (6301 122nd Ave., Fennville) This stop features the flame worked glass bead and wire sculptures of artist Jessica Bohus and an exhibition entitled "Line". " In these sculptures I have been using less and less to suggest form. I think of them as carving air with a line " said Bohus. The studio is in an1890’s schoolhouse with many original features including a swing set and blackboards.

5) Lake Effect Pottery (2139 66th St., Fennville) Surrounded by vegetable and herb gardens, with her horses and chickens nearby, an antique turkey barn is the workplace for potter Lee Mckee. Lee makes oil lamps, French butter keepers and other affordable functional pottery.

6) Blue Star Studio of Wood & Glass LLC (1684 Blue Star Hwy., Fennville) Enjoy two mediums at one stop at the studio of glass and wood artist Barb Hogarth, who will be demonstrating fan bird carving. Barb is a master craftsman who has turned her hand to nested Shaker boxes, blown glass vessels, stained glass boxes and panels, turned wood bowls, and much more. Don't miss her marquetry pet portraits in wood veneer.