A full weekend of local art, music and good food in the hills of Colrain, Mass. is offered by the 8th Annual Crafts of Colrain self-guided Studio Tour November 12-13, 2011. Eighteen artists, artisans and farms will display and sell their work, made in this beautiful, rural corner of Franklin County. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Anvils are ringing, looms clicking, saws buzzing, fabric rustling and the potter's wheel is humming as Colrain's artists are preparing their work for this weekend rich in the colors, forms and tastes inspired by Colrain's hills and valleys. Traveling the tour you will experience the results of their work such as Al Ladd's intricate patterns in wood, the deep flavors of Matt Shearer's jams and jellies, Cliff Daniels' earth-warm pottery and Lynn Fisher's one-of-a-kind knitted hats.
Experience an array of original, creative, sometimes unusual designs which unfold their rich colors and fine craftsmanship as you tour the beautiful Colrain countryside. Garments and skeins of vibrant hand-dyed wool; uniquely imaged work in quilting, metal, leather, wood and paper; artistic home decor and traditional furniture that make the "practical" beautiful; locally grown food to bring home to your table; handmade soy wax candles, all of these will make your trip memorable.
Anyone on the tour may enter a drawing at each of the studios they visit to win one of two gift baskets containing original works donated by the artists. The baskets will be displayed in local People's United banks and businesses prior to the weekend, and can be viewed at two stops along the tour.
Begin the trip at Pine Hill Orchards on Greenfield Road, three miles north on the Colrain-Shelburne Road from Strawberryfields Antiques on Route 2. Pick up the brochure with map there, at any of the studios or farms, or print it from the website. Children will especially like meeting the animals at Pine Hill Orchards and the Angora goats at Keldaby Farm.
Lunch and snacks will be available at our partnering restaurants. The Green Emporium highlights their fall pizzas which feature local apples. Pine Hill Orchards will provide their full daily lunch menus. Hager's Farm Market offers lunch, local products and their famous fried dough with maple cream. The Colrain Elementary School will also offer lunch on Saturday. Fill out your weekend with dinner at the Green Emporium Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
On this website, you will find links to studios, the tour map and a list of area bed & breakfasts, restaurants and sponsoring businesses. Click on artist photos for their individual web pages. You may also download the 2011 Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour Brochure in pdf format.
