The Moostletoe Artists Studio Tour — which celebrates local talents’ creativity and vibrant artwork — is welcoming four new groups this year, including those who focus on photography, pottery and paintings.
The 11th annual tour sees artists open their studios and offer visitors up-close and informal interactions. This popular tour also lets residents do some early Christmas shopping.
This year’s event occurs on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors should pick up a tour passport, acquire a stamp at each stop and then leave it at the last studio visit for a chance to win a $250 gift basket.
This multi-stop event is open to all ages, and admission is free. A map can be found on the group’s Facebook page or at the Yvette Moore Gallery.
The four new groups this year include Nissa Gieni-Wareham, Dorothy Yakiwchuk and Kathy Verbeke, Ron Dormer, and Dave Pelletier.
Gieni-Wareham operates artisaNGrounds out of the Hammond Building and creates paintings and pottery. She also hosts public classes and leads private parties.
“She’s fun and spunky and full of lots of new ideas, which is nice because we have to keep it (the tour) fresh,” said organizer Laura Hamilton.
Pelletier is the board chair of the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) and will showcase his artwork.
Yakiwchuk and Verbeke operate the Mud Pie Girls’ pottery studio at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre and have been business partners and friends for six years.
Faithe Sovdi — one of four members of the River Street Potters, which joined last year — invited the Mud Pie Girls to participate this year since both groups operate in the same building, said Hamilton.
Hamilton also noted that during the organizing committee’s first meeting, they discussed the need to add another artist who created different artwork, so someone suggested Dormer. He operates a photography business out of his house, but the Cultural Centre will host him in the lobby.
“I think it’s good (to add him). We need to have new artwork, and so, he’s going to complement the show,” Hamilton added.
Some individuals who showcased in 2022 but are not this year include Bill and Laurette Keen, Erin Zimmerman, Beth Crabb and Jazenta Saultier.
During that kickoff meeting, members also expressed disbelief at how the Moostletoe Tour was in its 11th year while acknowledging that it was still surviving even after a pandemic, Hamilton said.
She recalled that Monica De Campo developed the tour idea after seeing it elsewhere. She approached several artists about starting something here, with many agreeing to join.
Some founding members were Wendy Parsons and Zach Dietrich of Parsons Dietrich Pottery, the Keens, Yvette Moore, Grant McLaughlin and the MJMAG.
Hamilton joined during the tour’s fourth year and eventually became the main organizer. She thought she had done a good job leading since she understood the founders’ vision.
“I don’t want to stray away from (that foundation). I want to keep it to its roots,” she said. “The newer people that are coming in, they have wonderful ideas and I want to use their ideas. But I don’t want to move away from what (the founders) created in that first year.”
Balancing tradition and new ideas has gone well for Hamilton because she describes herself as easy-going. Moreover, she thoughtfully reflects on what exists and what can be added so the tour remains current with trends.
“We’re in a rhythm. We’ve got it down pat,” added Hamilton. “It’s a well-oiled machine now.”
Follow the Moostletoe Tour on Facebook.
2023 Moostletoe Tour artists
The Laura Hamilton Art studio is at 128 Blue Sage Drive. She paints nostalgic and whimsical oil paintings, while her signature collection includes limited edition reproductions, pillows, bags, notebooks, cards and the ever-popular calendars.
The Yvette Moore Gallery features the exclusive art collection of artist Yvette Moore. It carries an extensive collection of handcrafted pottery and jewelry in Saskatchewan.
Artist Jess Zoerb is at The Art House on 720 Second Avenue Northeast.
The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) is hosting Jude Radwanski of Firefly Art Jewellery and board chairman Dave Pelletier.
Nissa Gieni-Wareham of artisaNGrounds is in suite 423 of the Hammond Building.
Beth Barrett of One Sweet Dream Pottery is at 1211 Fifth Avenue Northwest. She creates functional stoneware that is dishwasher and microwave-safe.
The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre is hosting three groups, including Melanie McFarlane, Shannan Taylor, Faithe Sovdi and Dianne Newman with River Street Potters, Dorothy Yakiwchuk and Kathy Verbeke with Mud Pie Girls and Ron Dormer Photography.
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