Otter Tail artists open their studios for community tour this August

PERHAM — Otter Tail County seems to be the perfect place for creative minds to thrive, and this summer, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to visit the studios and view the creations of local artists.

The third annual Lakes Area Art Tour — featuring studios throughout Ottertail, Richville and Clitherall — will be back on Aug. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Completely free and perfect for all ages, this drive-yourself tour will give residents and visitors of Otter Tail County alike the opportunity to take their cars out on the road for the weekend and see what the creative minds of the area make with their own hands.

"The reason we did this was because as artists, studio tours are a big part of our income," tour organizer Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy of Clayhouse Pottery Studio said. "And with the pandemic (in 2021), everything had been shut down. We had studios that were open enough; we opened our windows and made it so that people could come in and out. That was the reason that we started it. And that first year was so good because people just wanted to go out."

After that success, artists knew they had to keep doing this drivable tour annually. They brought it back for 2022 and will be ready to come back for 2023. This year's participating studios include Clayhouse Pottery Studio, The Arthouse, Pine Mill Farm Furniture Co., The Potter-Daughter, Pam Riepe and Off the Wall Studio. At each location, visitors will have the chance to admire original local artwork, purchase one-of-a-kind pieces, talk with artists about their crafts and even witness how everything from furniture to homemade paper are created.

"There are so many artists here (in Otter Tail County)," Daulton Shaughnessy continued. "When you have a small tour, you're able to really spend time and talk to the artist, see their work in most cases and see what's being made. We often have a kiln that I'm unloading or a kiln that I'm starting to prepare to fire. And to see that whole process — when they get to learn about it and see how many times you touch that pot until it made it through the process — they might understand the value in a different way."

It doesn't matter what kind of art strikes your fancy. With such a wide range of artists, there's bound to be something you're interested in. This will include custom-built furniture, pottery, jewelry of all mediums, fiber arts, paintings, sculptures of sea glass and driftwood, stained glass, woodwork and so much more. With a tour that features six studios in close proximity to one another, there will also be plenty of opportunities to speak one-on-one with the artists themselves.

"I've been on tours that I don't know where to go," Lori Charest, a potter with The Potter-Daughter, said. "This has it all listed, of people involved and how to get there."

Robyn Olson with Off the Wall Studio continued, "And I think since the pandemic, there was so much isolation, and I just think events like this promote community. And it's learning, which is important. Learn how Lori makes her pots. And learn how fiber art is made."

"Learn how to make paper," said Shirlee Aho Daulton of the Arthouse, who hand-makes her own paper out of plants. "They're very interested in it. Very."

Daulton Shaughnessy added, "And they come back, year after year."

While the hosts and artists aren't charged to participate in the tour, Daulton Shaughnessy does ask them to donate money to Someplace Safe, an organization that assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking and other crimes. Not only is the event located in the community, but it will also benefit those throughout it in need.

"Buy local," Shari Krause of Pine Miller Farm Furniture Co. said. "When they come see you and what you do, you become friends too. You really do."

Daulton Shaughnessy added, "We are a big part of the community. We live here. We work here. But we also shop here."

To find each location, follow the blue signs. The art studios found on the tour, coinciding with their numbers on the included map, are as follows:

Clayhouse Pottery Studio, run by Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy, creates functional potter/atmospheric-fired stoneware:

The Arthouse, run by Shirlee Aho Daulton, creates woodcuts on handmade plant paper/paintings/jewelry/pottery:

Pine Mill Farm Furniture Co., run by Roger and Shari Krause, creates custom-built furniture and repairs old furniture:

The Potter-Daughter, run by Lori Charest, creates stoneware pottery:

Pam Riepe's art studio, creates fused and stained glass:

Off the Wall Studio, run by Robyn Olson, hosts and highlights different artists: