Yesterday the Taste team hopped in the car and headed out to discover firsthand Prince Edward County’s newest adventure, the Arts Trail, which officially launched in August 2008. With only four hours and 200+ kilometres to cover, it was quickly decided to tackle the trail in two, maybe even three, stages.

Warm and sunny, the weather was the perfect backdrop for the first part of our adventure, which began at the SideStreet Gallery on Wellington’s main drag. After chatting with artist Jane Rutter and admiring her coasters embellished with images of vintage canning labels, we headed down the street to Suites-on-the-Lake Studio, home of painter Joanna McFarland. Joanna showed us her studio and art (including her haunting beach walkers series) and even gave us a tour of the guestrooms of her and her husband Stewart’s lovely B & B property.

Around the corner, at Ganders Bed & Breakfast (another stunning waterfront property) we had the chance to talk with painter Carol Gander who, along with her husband Jeremy, invited us in to discover her work — evocative depictions of land- and beach-scapes done in oil and acrylic.

Next it was off to Wellington Pottery where Maggie Murdoch and David Drown allowed us to explore their two-storey studio/gallery chock-full of their functional porcelain pottery. Shelves were lined with everything from botanically inspired teapots to plates and cups whose soft colours and organic lines bring to mind an Eastern aesthetic.

Across the street in painter Margaret McFetridge’s studio, it was summery days and fresh cut flowers that were invoked by colourful oversized canvases of red poppies, pink geraniums and yellow daffodils. Her gallery (housed in the eponymous Bloomin’ Barn) was closed down for the season, but Margaret let us take a peek anyway…consensus among our group was that the space definitely demands a another visit come next season.

Located in Wellington’s Old Feed Mill, Armstrong Glassworks was full of glass vases, bowls and ornaments catching the sunlight. Craftsman Mark Armstrong was on hand and happily gave us a tour that included the space that will soon house his hot glass studio (one more reason to check out the trail again next season).

Finally, we headed north to Oeno Gallery and admired the artwork of various artists and media and chatted with co-owner Carlyn Moulton about the gallery’s upcoming relocation to its new home on the property of Huff Estates Winery. (Since the current gallery, with its soaring spaces and abundance of natural light, seems like the ideal venue for Oeno’s lengthy roster of artists, we’re curious to see what the new space will look like.)

Heading back to the office, the team agreed that our tour was off to a great start. Not only was everyone welcoming, but the artwork was inspirational. Many thanks to everyone we met along the way! We can’t wait to set off on Part Two of our journey…

Tags: Arts Trail