Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour

Every year we look forward to the studio tour as a way to reconnect with local art and the friends we have made.
Jeff & Liz Brandenburg

This is an event you don't want to miss. A large part of the charm of the hilltowns is the preponderance of craftsmen, and they don't get any better than those in Colrain. You will thoroughly enjoy seeing what 'Made in America' has meant for over 250 years.
Hugh Schoetzel

Every year we anticipate the Crafts of Colrain tour. Where else can you readily see so many local artists and their studios in one day? The vast variety of local talent is always impressive; from hand thrown pottery to beautiful art quilts to delicious fresh food, the list goes on and on. There is always something that will appeal to someone. Whether or not you make a purchase from an artisan, he or she is always so friendly and willing to answer any of your questions even the silly ones. If for nothing else, the drive through this idyllic New England small town always leaves us a little breathless and thankful to be a part of such an amazing community.
Nancy and Karina Pretto

Saturday November 13th and Sunday November 14th, 2010

10 am to 5 pm

Last year's tour was a huge success, attracting over 300 registered visitors, who enjoyed maple glazed fried dough, and the talents and charms of Colrain's diverse artisans. See map below.

Two gift baskets will be given away this year. Sign up for a chance to win at each location that you visit during the tour.

Colrain, Massachusetts is one of the last, great "undiscovered" places. Tucked beneath the Vermont state line and above the Deerfield River, Colrain has long been a refuge for artists, artisans and others looking for someplace beautiful and affordable in which to do their work, while appreciating and preserving the area's pastoral past.

Colrain's diverse artisans invite you up to their hilltops and vales to demonstrate their crafts and display and sell their wares. The information point this year has changed and will be the Hager Farm Stand in Shelburne on Route 2, just before the turnoff to Colrain. You can sample products and pick up a map showing the farms and studios you might otherwise never find! Or click here to download the map in pdf form. However, you may begin the tour at any studio or farm.

This is who we are:


Leigh Morrell at the forge.


Ceacey Henderson and Nancie Rich display their graphic skills.


Laurel Thorndike painting


Russ Peck pouring soy candles


Genie Shearer holds a decorated plate


Carole Adams demonstrating
supply and process.


Adam Grandin creating leather art


Al Ladd sands a cutting board.


Matt Shearer pouring berry jam


Bob Ramirez, wearing a Moonshine Designs ruana by Cynthia Herbert, tends his angora goats at Keldaby Farm.



Calligrapher Peggy Davis and Photographer Joe Kurland at Gan  Eydn Gallery


Chip and Sherri Hager with a tray of maple sugar.


Lynn Fisher spins some wool


Kenny Noyes at the lathe.


Cliff Daniels and a fresh pot.


A stone hand garden sculpture, by Tony Palumbo.


Mike Purrington roughs out a bowl.


Ruth B. McDowell trimming threads from a quilt


Ruby Rice as Sacred Art

Colrain Studio Tour Partnering Businesses

Lodging

Kenburn Orchards Bed & Breakfast
 1394 Mohawk Trail,
Shelburne, MA 01370
413-625-6116
Toll Free: 1-877-KENBURN
http://www.kenburnorchards.com Three spacious guest rooms, Queen/King beds, private baths in a restored 1877 farmhouse on 165 acres with spendid 50 mile views. Abundant birds and wildlife. Full served breakfast. Non-smoking. MC/VISA

The Round House
ReBekka Tippens
68 Van Nuys Rd., Colrain, MA 01340
413-624-5140
http://www.roundhouseculture.com
A charming round house with fantastic views. Reserve rooms and enjoy the Friday night Colrain’s Musician’s Fest and Saturday night Songs and Stories of crafts and whimsey. Dinner option possible. Call Bekki or visit www.roundhouseculture.com

High Pocket Bed & Breakfast
Sarah & Mark McKusick, Hosts
38 Adams Place Rd., Colrain, MA 01340
413-624-8988
http://www.highpocket.com
Nestled on a knoll at the end of the road, our 160 year old farmhouse features 3 bedrooms with private baths. New 4 stall horse barn, separate game room, and a hot tub. 650 acres of rural enjoyment – hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking.

Food

Pine Hill Orchard
248 Greenfield Rd., Colrain, MA 01340
413-624-0291
Family owned and operated Orchard Retail Store with Restaurant. Store open daily 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, Sat. & Sun. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Restaurant serving full breakfast and lunch 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Mohawk Diner, Michael Ryan
at the Arrowhead Shops
1105 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne, MA 01370
413-625-6643
Breakfast and Lunch 7 days from 6:00 am - 2:00 pm, with incredible build your own omelets. Show this brochure during the Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour for Buy one Meal and get the Second one free.

Mike & Tony’s Pizzeria at the Green Emporium
4 Main Road, on the Common, Colrain, MA 01340
413-624-5122
http://www.greenemporium.com
Artisan Pizzas featuring Apple, Cheddar, and Bacon with apples from local orchards. Serving during and after the Tour hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Antiques

Strawberryfield Antiques
Joyce Root
1204 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne, MA 01370
413-625-2039
Offering a fine selection of eclectic collectibles, antiques, and garden ornaments.

Click on the highlighted to visit their website:

Colrain is in Northwestern Massachusetts, northwest of Greenfield, 10 minutes drive west from the I-91 exit 26 rotary where 1-91 meets route 2.

Click here for a detailed printable map of the tour (PDF file.)
For a list of B & B's in our area, click here  

The tour is supported by: Colrain Business Association, Bank of Western Massachusetts, TD Banknorth and Shelburne Falls Area Business Association



This year's Additional Sponsors

Canepari's Landscaping

Colrain Service Center/Supergas

Pine Hill Orchard

Village Auto/Amherst

Hagers Farm Market

Colrain Mountain CandleWorks

Mike & Tony's Pizza
at the Green Emporium

Victoria Howell, Veterinarian

Keldaby Farm
2009 tour raffle gift basket winners are: Diane King of Hampton, NH and
Tracey Bellville of Greenfield, MA2

A special thanks to our

Corporate Sponsors

and the Colrain Business Association

(Is it an Outhouse?, a Privy?, or a Garden Shed?)

 

In 2008, a group of individuals who are accustomed to working alone collaborated on a project guaranteed to amuse and delight.

What began as a practical discussion for providing comfort stations to the growing number of rural adventurers seeking fine and unique handmade craft in the hills of Colrain, turned into a high-spirited brainstorm that culminated in the creation of three versions of that old relic of rural living - the outhouse, the backhouse, the privy.

Using their collective creative license Colrain artists have designed built and decorated three "privies." Although all have the requisite seats inside, they are built to function as small garden sheds and will provide a delightful focal point to a yard or garden.

While other cities and towns have their artist-decorated moose or cows, sheep or pigs, Colrain's artists wanted to create something more suited to the human landscape.

The Arthouse project was a collaborative effort of the Colrain Artisans to raise funds for the Griswold Memorial Library, the Colrain Business Association Scholarship Fund, and other Colrain causes.

The art project last year resulted in the sale of the "Coneflowers and Chicks" arthouse. In September 2009, the "Sunflowers to the Sky" arthouse was sold. One remains available for sale, "The Potty Shed." It is on display at the "Hager Family Farm Market" on Route 2 in Shelburne.


Coneflowers and Chicks (sold)


Sunflowers to the Sky (sold)


The Potty Shed (still available)

Web hosting provided by: Colrain Mountain CandleWorks;

Web Design by Al Ladd

Logo design and photograph by Peggy Davis and Joe Kurland

copyright © by Crafts of Colrain 2005-2009