Thanks to All Our 2026 Tour Visitors!



Ottawa Valley Life Magazine Article – 2026



Tour Weekend Finally Here!

We have 22 artists and makers ready to welcome you at their studios and workshops.  We hope you have added our inaugural PARC Studio Tour to your schedule for the weekend of September 19&20.  Studio doors will be open from 10 to 4pm both days.

Artist Patrick John Mills, one of our Tour artists, has created this amazing video to promote us (link will take you to FB).  Take a look:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DVoKhNRoT/

 



Laurentian Valley – Our Latest Sponsor!

We’d like to thank the Township of Laurentian Valley for their supportive sponsorship!  We currently have 2 artists on the tour in the Township and 1 Laurentian Valley location that is showcasing 3 artists for our inaugural studio Tour!



Meet Our 2026 Artists!



Press Release – August 21, 2026


PARC Studio Tour

By  Pat Forrest and Deb Craven

August 21, 2026

The PARC Studio Tour is set for the weekend of September 19th and 20th, 2026.  This is the inaugural Tour for the regions of P(embroke) A(rnprior) R(enfrew) C(alabogie) and townships in between!

This new studio tour was formed in October 2025 with the idea of having a tour that encompassed areas that weren’t currently within the areas of currently operating tours.  Renfrew County, the largest county in the Province of Ontario, has enormously talented and creative artists.  The participating artists and their guest artists are opening their creative spaces to the public, and they can’t wait to share their work and creative processes with everyone.

Studio tours are a great way to support local artists and they encourage economic development for the tour locations as well as the surrounding areas. Beyond seeing where the creative process takes place, visiting an artist’s studio or workshop exposes visitors to a broader selection of finished work.  By opening their studio to the public, opportunities are created for visitors to meet the artist, learn about the creative processes and techniques, and perhaps find available workshops and classes that some of the artists may be offering.

Discover 22 local creators bringing 15 distinct artistic media to life across 14 County locations.  Visitors will enjoy a great lineup of artforms including pottery, fused glass, stained glass, basketry, blacksmithing, silversmithing, soap and candle making, oil, acrylic and watercolour artists, fabric artists, handmade jewellery and photography.

Visit The PARC Studio Tour’s website to access the online map for all studio locations, a complete list of all artists and descriptions of their work, their contact information, and their accepted payment forms.  Each studio will be open from 10am to 4pm both days.  You can pick up a full-colour PARC Studio Tour brochure at local hotels and regional art and information centers.

Join us every year on the third weekend of September for the annual PARC Studio Tour—this year on September 19–20, 2026. Whether you are coming from near or far, now is the perfect time to experience Renfrew County’s rural beauty. Stop for a meal or stay for the night—this free, inclusive tour is open to all ages! We encourage you to visit every stop on the tour! Make it a two-day road trip and plan a route that fits your pace. Check our website to find the best local spots for food and rest.

For more information, please email the tour organizer, Pat Forrest, at hello@studiotour.ca

Website:  www.StudioTour.ca

 

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Artists Creating New Work

In preparation of the PARC Studio Tour all of our participating artists and makers are busy creating new works of art that they’ll be showcasing during the Tour!  We all look forward to meeting our art loving visitors!



Make the Most of Your Tour

This Tour is named after the regions for its participating studios.  The P(embroke) A(rnprior) R(enfrew) C(alabogie) Studio Tour has participants in Pembroke, Laurentian Valley, Cobden, Renfrew, Horton, Burnstown, Springtown and Calabogie.  You have many choices over the two day Tour on where to start and where to end your journey.  NOTE: You can print out this page, scroll to the bottom and click on the printer.

Traversing any studio tour requires you to be prepared.  Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and check the weather so that you know how many layers of clothing you’ll need.  If you have a “must-see” studio make sure that you fit it in early so that you don’t miss it.
Be prepared to have cash on hand as some artists are not set up with online payment apps.  The type of payment that each artist accepts will be indicted under their bios on each of their pages on the website.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that if you’ve seen something that grabs your heart don’t delay in making the purchase!  Many items are one-of-a-kind creations and it most likely won’t be there when you go back to the artist!
Here are Some Key Ways to Have a Great Tour:
  • Use the official Tour Google Map found here.  Set out your route and make sure to visit as many studios as you can on your journey.  The Explore page on this site highlights some places to eat or rest in the various towns throughout the Tour.
  • Make sure to have some water and snacks for those regions that fall between any restaurants or cafes.  Make sure you have your debit or credit card(s) and remember, while many artists accept cards, cash is always king!
  • When you purchase art/creations directly from the artists you will always remember your time on the Tour and remember interacting with that particular artist or maker.  Art soothes the soul – if you see something that just ‘speaks’ to you don’t pass it by.  The piece will always make you feel that same way every time you look at it!
  • Make sure to take a business card from the studios and artists that you visit.  Who knows, you may need something that you saw from them at a later date!
  • Always ask for permission from the artists if you’d like to take a picture of something you see in their studio.
  • You can also help support any of the artists by simply promoting them on social media.  You  don’t always have to purchase something if its not in your budget.  But even buying small things like greeting cards or bookmarks are great ways to support creators if you’re on a budget.

The organizers, volunteers and artists/makers thank you very much for adding our Studio Tour to your schedule of ‘most important things to do’ this September.  Remember, our Tour will always take place the third weekend in September every year going forward.



Save the Date for the PARC Studio Tour!

Join us for the Tour – September 19&20, 2026 – 10 to 4pm each day (click map to see full area).



Applications for the Inaugural PARC Studio Tour are now Closed

We have a great lineup of artists and creators for our inaugural studio tour.  Please make sure to add us to your Fall ‘things to do’ calendar for September 19th and 20th!  We look forward to meeting you and showing you what this part of the Ottawa Valley has to offer!