Mark Paul checks out a piece of wood for one of his crafts. (Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — This weekend ushers in the first of the 2019 season of ArtWorks Studio Tour series.

These signature, self-guided tours give people a chance to catch up with artists in their own work space, see how the creative process works, and also provide an opportunity to acquire handmade pieces appropriate for gift giving and collecting.

Every month brings something distinctive since the participating artists and the venues vary from month to month and even day to day for each of the Studio Tour weekends.

The June Studio Tour offers a comfortable and entertaining way to travel through the greater Saranac Lake region and explore the various mediums of art that the region has to offer as well as take in the Adirondack greenery.

Participating art galleries include the Adirondack Artists Guild, NorthWind Fine Arts, and BluSeed Studios hosting the “One Earth” art exhibit. Photographer Mark Kurtz and fine artist Tim Fortune will be part of the tour along with fused glass artist Marie Cogar, and nature artist Anne Hughes. There are new artists to the tour this year as well as artists who will be appearing in other venues in the village of Saranac Lake. Betty Hendrick will be sharing space in Anne Hughes’s studio with her art prints, postcards, and more.

This year, ArtWorks Studio Tours offer a new experience at the end of November. Instead of traveling to each artists studio, ArtWorks is inviting artists to come together with their work at the Ballroom in The Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake. The public will be invited in for a special sales event.

Admission is $15 and includes food, a beverage and the opportunity to talk to the artists and perhaps purchase something directly from the artist in time for holiday gift-giving.

Printed maps for each Studio Tour are available at the participating studios as well as at the Hotel Saranac, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and other area businesses. Tour schedules may also be found on the ArtWorks website at: www.saranaclakeartworks.com

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