Artists In-Person Studio Tours

Tour Calaveras County and meet artists In-Person!

Download a printable map

After a year of online gallery shows, the Calaveras County Arts Council is pleased to present Artists In-Person Studio Tours.
 
This popular event is traditionally held on the third weekend of September (September 18-19, 2021). Artists Studio Tour is an opportunity to tour Calaveras County and meet artists who create artwork that ranges from paintings and sculpture to handcrafted soap and hand-stamped jewelry.
 
Visitors create their own self-guided tour using a printed or downloadable brochure with maps of each artist location. This year 28 artists will be exhibiting at 19 sites. “Seeing artists’ studios in person, getting a glimpse of their processes and work, is an experience that just can’t be duplicated online,” said Kathy Mazzaferro, executive director.

>>Browse the artists

Plan your tour

Start in San Andreas

A good place to start your tour is in San Andreas at the Gallery Store on Main Street, where you can see a collection of artwork by participating artists and pick up a brochure with directions. From there, head directly down St. Charles Street to Faultless and enjoy the very cool artwork of Sol Gatos, a long-time tattoo artist and writer.
 
While you’re heading north, stop at Deborah Marlene’s Mokelumne hill studio to see her watercolors and vibrant alcohol ink work on tile. From there, it’s a short 7 miles to the studio of painter and photographer Sonya Ziegler, who is exhibiting with jeweler Brenda Montelongo. Both artists are inspired by nature, and their work shows it.
 
In Mountain Ranch, four artists will exhibit at 3 sites: Ceramicist Steven Hall demonstrates wheel-throwing clay techniques at his studio on Old Emigrant Trail East, and Sarah Cuthill displays her fantasy creations and current publications on Oleo Acres Road. A late addition to the tour (they are not in the brochure), on Rail Road Flat Road, MB and Black Eagle open their amazing studio to show hand crafted furniture, jewelry, and cultural work. You won’t want to miss any of these artists!
 
Sheep Ranch is tiny, but the work of two artists—Shay Black and Gayle Lorraine—is mighty. It’s worth a trip to see Shay’s lovely creations and Gayle’s powerful abstracts.
 
At the other end of the county in Copperopolis, Susie Hoffman will show her watercolors, acrylic and oil paintings and drawings at Town Hall Arts. In Angels Camp, ceramicist Larissa Stevenson opens her private studio for the first time to show her charming sculptures and pottery.

Along Highway 4

 The critical mass of artists in Murphys is exceptional. At Art on Main, three artists will show their work. Duane Papais brings his wicked sense of word play to his digital creations, while Bambi Papais shows her charming watercolors of flowers and frogs. Sue King exhibits her graceful and elegant watercolors at the gallery this year.
 
Away from downtown Murphys, three artists open their private studios. You won’t want to miss the impressionistic work of painter Judie Cain, nor the acrylic and watercolor paintings of Joanie Taylor. The drive to Michael Gustavson’s studio on Fullen Road is a bit twisty, but oh-so-worth it to see his grand ceramic sculptures in a setting that rivals any museum.
 
On Highway 4, Quyle Kilns has become the traditional gathering place for artists. This year 6 artists will exhibit their work at the pottery. Sherri Bloomer, who hand stamps pieces from antique dyes, will be on hand to exhibit her jewelry. Victoria Fout lightens the day with colorful fantasy pieces that blur the line between painting and sculpture. George Haskel will exhibit paintings of Corgi’s and Sierra landscapes. And three ceramicists—Amanda Maule, Lydia Osias and Pamela Quyle—will exhibit their sculptures and functional ware. Each has a different style, and you’ll want to see them all.
 
Up the hill in Arnold, you’ll find three artist exhibiting in their own studios. Heidi Gaissert returns with her functional yet artistic ceramics. New this year, painter Tabitha Kremesec shows her landscapes painted in oil and watercolor, and Denise Davis opens her shop, Green Frog Soap Works, where she handcrafts specialty soaps as well as displays her paintings and photographs.
 
Dorrington is just a little farther, where you’ll find the beautiful studio of painter and quilter Ann Nancy Macomber. Her studio is a bit hard to find; keep a sharp eye out for the pink signs. The search is worth it.
 
Each artist will have their own Covid health precaution preferences. Please be respectful of their wishes when you visit their studios.
 
The brochure is free to the public and is available at the Arts Council Gallery in San Andreas, Quyle Kilns and Art on Main in Murphys, Town Hall Arts in Copperopolis, and Artsy Parts and Green Frog Soap Works in Arnold, plus other business across the county. Or you can download printable directions. 
 
Find out more at www.calaverasarts.org, or email [email protected].