Judy Saye-Willis, one of the artists and co-chairs for this year’s ARTour, noted that no one person is in charge of everything.

“We put together what needs to get done,” she said. This includes taking care of distributing brochures, creating proofs and raising awareness, blogging, marketing, setting up registration and promoting their sponsors.

It is not just the studios and artists that draw people in, but the variety of styles that are used as well. The tour offers a diverse range of mediums such as ceramics, paint, glass, beads, metals, wood, fabrics, dyes, photography and many more.

This year, the Studio ARTour received a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) grant along with business sponsors. Saye-Willis noted that most years they do not have grant money, so it’s the artist’s fees and the business sponsors that help fund the tour.

“The planning stages start right after the tour and registration is in March,” she added. “By the time we get to this time of year the work is pretty much done.”

Some of the artists have participated for many years, while others will be joining the tour for this first time. David Allen, a painter and sculptor, is one of those who is new this year. His take on the upcoming tour is that it would be different from the art shows he normally attends in several ways.

“In an art show you bring what you think you can sell,” he said. “With this, you can show people the things you don’t normally bring to attention in shows.”

His hope is that this kind of experience will have a positive impact and that he will form new relationships with customers through meeting them in person.

“It’s not just about the sales,” Allen added. “It’s a fun thing to show people who you are and what you do.”