SARANAC LAKE — This weekend, Saranac Lake ArtWorks presents another in its Art Studio Tour series, this time in anticipation of Halloween and other fall festivities.

These signature, self-guided tours give people a chance to catch up with artists in their own work spaces.

Every month brings something distinctive since the participating artists and the venues vary. The October Studio Tours offer some holiday fun with a Mask-Making Workshop happening at BluSeed Studios on Sat., Oct. 27 during Studio Tour hours of 1 pm to 4 pm. BluSeed board member and artist, Vicki Celeste will lead participants in a mask-making workshop suitable for all ages. There is a small fee for mask-kit materials, with a variable price depending on which mask kit you choose to make or take. Masks may then be used for the Harvest Masquerade Benefit at BluSeed Studios on Sat., Nov. 3, or for any other masquerade of choice.

Tour goers are invited to participate in the mask making or just watch and enjoy the open exhibit in the gallery space at BluSeed studios at 24 Cedar St. in Saranac Lake.

Another singular experience on the October tour involves spending some time in the studio of woodworker Mark Paul. Mark cites his workspace as “the home of the wood spirit” and is advertising “Extreme Pumpkin Carving” as part of his Studio Tour experience. Mark Paul loves to share his skills and knowledge with everyone who stops by and makes sure everyone gets a chance to give it a try.

The 2018 October Studio Tour dates are Oct. 26, Oct. 27, and Oct. 28 with hours generally from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In 2017, Saranac Lake ArtWorks introduced a new way to experience artists’ studio tours in the greater Saranac Lake community by offering six weekends of open studios the last weekend of every month from June through November. The format worked so well, it was resumed through 2018.

Each month different artists participate in the tour. And each artist may choose to participate on different days. Printed Studio Tour maps are available throughout the area at various art galleries, information centers, and other cultural centers, as well as online.

The Saranac Lake ArtWorks Studio tours offer a unique opportunity to meet area artists like Vicki Celeste and Mark Paul and learn a little bit about the way that they work and how they interact with the larger community.

The tours are all self guided and open to the public.

In addition to printed maps, tour schedules may also be found on the ArtWorks website at: www.saranaclakeartworks.com.

The artists on this tour range from traditional landscape painters to abstract artists, ceramic artists and more. There is a wide variety from which to choose on any given weekend of the tour.

Weekend five of the 2018 season includes 12 galleries and/or private studios throughout the area:

-Adirondack Artists Guild-artists working in various mediums

-BluSeed Studios-Mask Making with Vicki Celeste and Open art gallery exhibiting the works of Alison Weld and Ellen Few Anderson: Adirondack Abstraction

-Tim Fortune-watercolor and oil painting

-Sandra Hildreth-plein air painting demonstrations and paintings on display in her private studio

-Cathy Hohmeyer at The Lodge at Lake Clear-“living museum” that highlights traditional food and “Great Camp” traditions. Cooking demonstrations and tours as well as Adirondack “Alps” Woodworking

-Brenda Hollis-functional pottery and jewelry made from pottery

-Anne Hughes-Adirondack art created from found, natural objects in the forest

-Mark Kurtz Photography-black & white darkroom printing and digital photography printing

-NorthWind Fine Arts-various member artists will share their artistic processes in painting, pastels, jewelry, digital photography, more

-Peter Shrope-Adirondack Rockware-unique hand-crafted pottery using original glaze recipes made with 100% pure crushed Adirondack rock

-Mark Paul-Mountain Farm Studios-wood carvings-demonstrations and participation

-Monica Tojek-la la La Monique-Whimsical drawings and fabric designs with techniques such as soy wax batik, fabric collage, painting, and block printing

This project is made possible, in part, by the Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.

Saranac Lake ArtWorks is a program in partnership with BluSeed Studios.

For more information, call 518-891-3799 or email admin@bluseedstudios.org.