Oxford Studio Tour‘OG’ bringing it homefor 2026 event

The 2026 Oxford Studio Tour, Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, will include 23 different artists at 11 locations including, front row from left, Margaret Charron, Ruth Hartley, Linda Takacs and Margaret Trapnell. In the back row, are: Glen Hartley, Sue Goossens, Bruce Hartley and Monique Gerber. For more information including artist descriptions, locations and contact information, source a full-colour glossy brochure, visit www.oxfordstudiotour.ca or phone 519-842-6151. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The Oxford Studio Tour’s ‘OG’ is bringing it home for the 2026 season.

Last year, long-time professional watercolour artist Sue Goossens experimented with a group setting for the popular annual celebration of the county’s artistic talent. And while it was a positive experience, she’ll be back inside her familiar 165548 New Road, Otterville studio for the duration Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I love having people come to the house.”

Twenty-three artists working in 17 different media will be displaying their unique creative visions in 11 different locations throughout Oxford during the two days. Each artist, location and contact information is highlighted on the tour website www.oxfordstudiotour.ca and also in glossy, full-colour brochures available at art and tourism-related locations throughout the county. Those seeking further information are welcome to call 519-842-6151.

Goossens is a foundational member of the event, instigated by a Woodstock-based weaver inquiring whether it would be possible to broaden the scope of her Welcome Back Otterville initiative. Goossens got onboard and remains a driving force for the resultant county-wide tour, under the umbrella of Tillsonburg’s Station Arts Centre. Her own extended timeframe is represented by the fact she has introduced her passion to a pair of granddaughters.

“I have a cupboard where I pull stuff out and off they go,” Goossens smiled.

Their artistic journey is just beginning, experimenting with colourful multi-scoop ice cream cones, for example. Their mentor’s style is well developed, but Goossens’ interpretations of scenery from close to home and across Canada do continue to evolve.

“I enjoy seeing how I can push the limits and try different things.”

Five artists will be ensconced within the Station Arts Centre for the tour, Jared Smith with his heavily textured layers of scratched and blistered paint mixed with metal and other reclaimed objects, Megan McKiernan’s traditional watercolours exploring joy and peace, Kelly Murphy’s realistic wildlife pieces created on drafting film, Monique Gerber’s celebration of the wild dance of beauty and oneness between nature and animals, and Margaret Trapnell’s unique watercolour on graphite pencil combinations.

“I draw the scene in graphite and put water colour on top of that,” explained Trapnell, who finds the process gives her a little more control over what she’s doing. In effect, Trapnell is a living example of her artistic approach, adding a little colour to her defined lines after surviving a tough 2022. In July, she was hit by a truck, falling and breaking her shoulder in December of the same year. She contemplated a tattoo to celebrate her recovery, before opting for changing shades courtesy of her stylist.

“I thought I’d just put a little colour in my hair.”

Photographic artist Vic Whitecroft will let the colour in his fine art landscapes, still life and portraits speak for themselves at his 44 Stover St., Norwich location while stained glass artist Elaine Might, original oil and acrylic painter Joanne Ward and hand-crafted bird house/feeder and hand-turned wooden pen crafter Glen Hartley will be together at 19 Avery’s Lane, Norwich.

Hartley bringing 14 years of experience to his first participation in the tour, as well as a willingness to experiment.

“I see something, I think ‘I can make that,’” said Hartley, who also has worked off photographs, including one memorable recreation for a woman of her recently-passed brother’s log cabin. “She was almost in tears when she saw it.”

He turns his wooden pens on a small lathe he picked up at an estate sale, for ‘a good price.’ It sat in his garage for six years to the growing skepticism of wife Theresa, before armed with YouTube instruction videos, he began converting chunks of wood into functional art.

“Anything with a grain,” says Hartley. “Some turns easy, some turns hard.”

Another 13 artists are exhibiting in seven additional locations north of the 401 from Ingersoll through Woodstock to Princeton. The tour’s long standing has created a platform which both celebrates creativity and fosters artistic growth says social media lead Cailey Coderre of the Station Arts Centre.

“I think that matters,” she said. “It’s a place to let both existing artists like Sue and new artists grow and thrive and connect to community.”

The event is free, local, inclusive and open to all ages Coderre emphasized, and a great way to embrace the beauty of Oxford County in spring, particularly following a long, brutal winter.

“Whether you want to celebrate art with your kids, enjoy a pleasant weekend in retirement or just explore the creativity which exists right here in Oxford County.”