This fall, artists across Peterborough and the Kawarthas will once again be welcoming visitors into their studio spaces for a behind-the-scenes look at where the magic happens during the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour (KAST).
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, the Art Gallery of Peterborough will be presenting the 42nd annual free self-guided tour featuring 52 participating artists at 42 studio locations, with selected work on display at a preview exhibition that opens at the gallery in advance of the tour on July 11.
“At the Art Gallery of Peterborough, we really want to support regional artists,” says Casandra Lee, Education Program Coordinator at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. “We’ve found that the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour gives artists a wonderful opportunity to invite people into their spaces and meaningfully connect with them.”
One of the longest-running studio tours in Canada, KAST has become a much-anticipated event for both local and visiting art lovers, with last year’s tour seeing 7,576 visitors across all participating studios. Earlier this year, KAST was named a Top 100 event by Festivals & Events Ontario.
“If you spend any time in the Kawarthas, you’ll see how beautiful the area is and it’s really reflected in the artwork that’s produced here,” Lee says. “The lands that we’re on really draw in a lot of artists, or help people discover the artists within themselves.”
Participating studios in this year’s tour are located in the City of Peterborough and throughout Peterborough County, from north to Upper Stoney Lake to as far south as Millbrook.
To see all the studio locations, you can head to the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent Street) where printed maps are now available. Along with the locations, the map lists all participating artists, those who are offering demonstrations, and whether a studio has accessibility limitations.
Alternatively, you can download the free Toureka! app, which is available for iOS and Android devices at toureka.app/events/kast. The app lets you browse through artists’ work and create a customized route by selecting all the studios you want to visit throughout the weekend. What’s more, you can continue to use the app even if you find yourself in an area with little or no cell reception.
From ceramics and acrylic to woodworking and jewellery, there is an artist on the tour for you, whether you’re looking to purchase art or simply want to see the artist at work.
“Stepping into an artist’s studio makes the artwork accessible, gives you a more intimate view, and gives you a closer look into the artist’s process,” says Lee. “You can see how their materials are laid out, how their studio is set up, what supplies they are using, what views they have when they look out their window, and what artist books they have on their shelf. You get to really see the artwork, but also all of the things that created that art piece. I think that’s very special.”
While a full list of participating artists is available at kast.agp.on.ca/artists/, new artists at studios on this year’s tour include acrylic painter Beverly MacRae, jeweller Chantel Stovell, and oil painter Sylvie Dumas.
In addition, ceramic artist Cathy Allen and mixed media artist Ken Prescott will both be displaying their work at the Community Artists Hub hosted at the Peterborough Public Library, along with painter and photographer Elizabeth Popham, who has exhibited her work at the hub since it was introduced during KAST’s 40th anniversary year in 2024.
“The Community Artist Hub is in its third year in partnership with the Peterborough Public Library,” Lee says. “It’s been really nice to provide a community space for artists to participate in KAST.”
Many of the artists participating in this year’s tour will be hosting live demonstrations, giving visitors a rare opportunity to watch an artwork take shape while the artist speaks to them about it.
“Usually during the tour, the crowd ebbs and flows and the artist gets to spend a bit of time with each group,” Lee says. “Having those conversations and seeing what people are interested in, what thoughts they have when they look at their pieces, and what works they are drawn to is really valuable for an artist to experience.”
“This format of inviting the public into studios allows the artists to share the deeper meanings and stories behind their work. It can also help inspire new works or new ways of thinking.”
Aside from the impact on the local economy from the thousands of visitors who attend KAST each year, the studio tour supports regional artists by providing visitors the opportunity to purchase works directly from the artists. Last year’s event resulted in $120,000 in direct artist sales, not including additional revenue for artists earned through commissions or workshops.
To help you plan the studios and artists you’d like to visit during the tour weekend, the Art Gallery of Peterborough will be hosting the 42nd Annual KAST Selections Exhibition from Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, October 4. Work from each participating artist will be displayed to give visitors an idea of the artists they would like to add to their itineraries.
“One of the hardest parts about Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour is narrowing down the list of art studios you want to visit,” Lee says. “The KAST Selections Exhibition can help you see which artists and art pieces you’d like to know more about.”
Also returning this year is the KAST Passport, where you earn a stamp for every studio you visit. For every 10 stamps, you will be entered into a draw to win a prize from the gallery’s gift shop valued at over $100. The more studios you visit, the more chances you have to win. KAST Passports can be picked up during the studio weekend at the Art Gallery of Peterborough and at participating artist studios.
Even if you can only make it to a few studios over the weekend, the Art Gallery of Peterborough hopes KAST helps you connect with art and the talented artists who work in the region.
“The weekend is really about honouring the work of artists and appreciating the creativity that is present in our community,” says Lee. “It’s about valuing and supporting the artists we are so lucky to have here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.”
For more information and to browse the list of artists, visit kast.agp.on.ca.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Art Gallery of Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
