Back Roads Studio Tour View a tour map

 

October 4th and 5th 2008

Back Roads Studio Tour

In Search of Artists in Central Massachusetts


Saturday & Sunday, - 10 am to 5 pm 

Welcome to the home page of The Back Roads Studio Tour. Discover artisans on a self-guided tour through the picturesque towns of central Massachusetts. Each studio is opened to reveal the work spaces and the art & crafts produced there. Studios and sponsors are listed below.

To request a brochure about the tour via email, please click here. Please be sure to give us your name and address in the e-mail. For a map of the tour, click here.

   

If you would like the full brochure to print out click here.  Adobe Reader required.
The Studio Experience

The artists of The Back Roads Studio Tour are excited about bringing to you an insider's view of the creative process. All of us are experienced professionals, committed to our work, to sharing our experiences and to making a contribution to the cultural diversity of our region.

Please click on the highlighted names of the studios below to go to that studio's individual page (some artists also have independent websites which will open in a separate browser window).

How do I get there? Click here to view a map of studio locations. The number preceding each studio/artist name corresponds to the number on the map. Explore and enjoy!


1. Don Eaton Weaver, basket maker
A wide array of handwoven items in ultra-soft cotton. Also, Nantucket Lightship Baskets in all shapes and sizes. Weaving and basketmaking demonstrations.
15 Sunset Lane, Petersham, MA 01366 (978) 724-3365, weavereaton@verizon.net

2. Werner Krings Photographer
Brining the Word of Life to viewers through photos of the beautiful New England environment.
Vision for Life Gallery
74 New Athol Road, Petersham, MA 01366 (978) 724-3437 www.visionforlifegallery.com

3. Jane Hein - artist
Jane works in the field of early American decorative arts including reverse painting  on glass, furniture and object stenciling, gold leaf work and more.

North Main Street, Petersham, MA  01366 (978) 724-6605

 

4.Julie Pepper -Artist

Old style paintings done in egg tempera and ground pigments on cotton rag board.  Landscapes and figurative images of fairies, mermaids, angels and mystics. Limited edition prints and cards.

231 Chamberlain Hill Rd, Barre MA 01005 (774) 641- 2813 julie.pepper@gmail.com


5. Great Rock Alpacas

Kate and Jack Lathrop breed quality alpacas from which Kate spins, dyes and hand knits  the fiber. She produces scarves, hats, purses and felted products.  Visitors will be able to meet the animals and see the products they help produce.

280 Hardwick rd. Barre Ma 01005 (978) 355-2119

 

6. T. Potter Pots - potter

Trevor Bruso makes functional pottery for everyday life.  Bean Pots, bowls, bird houses, plates, pitchers and much more.  Throwing demonstrations at his studio throughout the weekend.

7 New Braintree Road, North Brookfield, MA 01535 (508) 867-2477, www.bostonbeanpots.com 


7. Brookfield Paperworks Elisabeth Hyder - paste paper artist
 Hyder's handpainted and decorated paste papers are made into albums, boxes, journals, cards, portfolios, framed art, and collages.
23 High Street, North Brookfield, MA 01535 (508) 867-7274

8. David Thompson 
Hand crafted, one of a kind spoons, bowls and kitchen ware along with a variety of unique interior and exterior furniture, including tables, Adirondack chairs and much more.
125 Bernard Whitney Rd New Braintree Ma 01531 (508) 867-6815

9. Stagecoach Road Studios Elizabeth Lincoln - printmaking, painting, books
Elizabeth & Roger Lincoln, artist and author, have recorded a lifetime of familiar scenes, stories, and memories of Ware, Hardwick, Wilbraham, and Quabbin Valley.  New this year - Here's Ware - the big book depicting the lifetime of artist, Elizabeth Howe Lincoln and her work making paintings and prints of Ware and elsewhere.  The book is historic, nostalgic, educational and filled with color.  Bargains galore on prints and paintings.
8 Stagecoach Road, Ware, MA 01082 (413) 967-6774

10. June Glidden
Take a journey to this enchanting bake shop for an array of unique, hand decorated cookies and cakes to compliment all your special occasions.
135 Pierce Rd New Braintree Ma 01531 (413) 477-6962

11. Moe Lewis-Wolf
Moe is a ceramics handbuilder. She offers functional and non-functional work along with sculptural pieces. Love of textures & the
natural world inspire her.
920 Worcester St. (Rt 32),
Barre, MA 01005, 978-355-2263 moelewisw@charter.net

 

12. Quilted Items- Shirley Lewis
Shirley Lewis’ traditional quilts and placemats combine color and designs that enhance any decor. Her jackets and purses are unique.
42 Dana Road
Barre,MA 01005 978-355-9019

13 Rustic Wood -  Creations Ronald Jacobs
Ronald Jacobs crafts his indoor /outdoor furniture from rough cut boards with designs that reflect the shape of nature. Each are one-of- a-kind.
40 Dana Road, Barre, MA 01005 978-355-6761

14 Gail Bruce
Gail Bruce has been painting and residing in West Brookfield and New York City for over 35 years. She records her observations of the town and country life around her on canvas.
www.GailBruce.com
348 Wickaboag Valley Rd West Brookfield Ma 01585 (508) 867- 7162

 

15.Kara Kozlowski Bigda
Kara enjoys working in
relief printmaking, watercolor, and pastels. She also creates many paintings and wall murals in the style of Early American folk artists and itinerant painters.

374 Wickaboag Valley Rd. West Brookfield Ma 01585

 16. Rebecca Webber  

Rebecca is a long-time potter who's ideas spring from observing the natural world, seeking out line, pattern and movement.  These elements are expressed in the claywork, both thrown on the wheel or hand built. 

7 New Braintree rd. West Brookfield, Ma 01585    

 

 

 




Sponsors

The generous support of the following sponsors helps make our tour possible. 


 

 Historic Salem Cross Inn
Restored early 1700's homestead. Traditional New England home cooking. Daily Dining.
Rt. 9, West Brookfield, MA 01585 Tel: 508-867-8337 e-mail: salemxinn@aol.com Website: www.salemcrossinn.com
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

 

 Barre Mill Restaurant
Experience the charming atmosphere and fabulous dinner specials of the Barre Mill Restaurant. A family style restaurant serving their famous prime rib, seafood and Italian dishes.
Route 32, South Barre, MA 01074 Tel: 978-355-6417 or 355-2987.
Open: Wednesday - Saturday at 5 p.m. Sun. at 12 noon

Tip Top Country Store

Come in for a cup of freshly brewed organic fair-trade coffee and a delicious sandwich or wrap, with a delicious bowl of homemade organic vegetarian soup or other goodie from TipTop's kitchen. Limited seating in the cafe area as well as outside in the patio.
8 Central Street , Brookfield, MA 01506

 

 Country Bank 
     75 Main St.
     Ware, MA 01082

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery 

The Samek’s invite you  to visit their farm, vineyard, and winery. Tour the 5,000 square foot true mortise and tenon timber frame barn built with oak cut from the farm’s 150 acres. Enjoy the craftsmanship of the winery’s fieldstone foundation. Walk the vineyard’s fields cleared in 1998 to plant the six varieties of French hybrid grapes.

3305 Greenwich Rd , Hardwick Ma

Picasso Restaurant and bar
(978) 355- 3099

Serving an eclectic mix of modern and traditional cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.

Wendsday to Saturday 4-9PM

Sunday 3- 8 PM

2 Common St, Barre Ma

 

Petersham Country Store

The Country Store, located on the Petersham, Massachusetts, town common, is one of the oldest continually operating country stores in America and is a registered national historical landmark. Despite its peaceful appearance adjacent to the Quabbin Reservoir the store is making a bold statement. The Country Store reflects the Polus Center’s core values and illustrates the strength that can be drawn from a vibrant and inclusive community.

In addition to preserving a historic landmark the Country Store provides a common meeting space for the community and appears to have captured the essence of a time past. In addition to selling goods an important role of the Country Store is raising awareness about the challenges and day-to-day difficulties people with disabilities face.

 

2 North Main Street  Petersham Ma

 

 




Back Roads Studio Tour
All images and text are copyright by the respective artists.