Many people might wonder how it is that a small city in south central Kentucky could be home to something that bills itself the World’s Greatest Studio Tour.
Seriously? The world’s greatest?
That seems like a lot to live up to. Who ever came up with a name like that?
Actually, it was Bowling Green artist Memphis Marsha, also known as Marsha Heidbrink, who operated out of a bright pink two-story building on 12thStreet where she made art, invited her friends to make and exhibit their art, and opened her doors to local and visiting artists who gave art lessons and hands-on workshops for anyone who wanted to try their hand at it.
No one knows exactly when or how, but one day Memphis Marsha beheld the art community that had coalesced around her – the artists and artisans, painters and potters, teachers, dreamers and entrepreneurs who were her friends and fellow travelers – and decided it was time for a celebration. It would be one great big rolling party that would not only happen only at her big pink building but also at the studios and homes, attics and lofts, garages and barns of other artists. They would advertise it, hand out maps, serve refreshments and create beautiful exhibits to sell their wares. And thus began the World’s Greatest Studio Tour (WGST).
When Marsha passed away in 2011, the event became a tribute to a strong woman with a vision. Proceeds from the art sales of the members of the Studio Tour continue to support the arts in our community. WGST sponsors awards at the annual U.S. Bank Celebration of the Arts and at the annual Artworks Show among others.
The 2019 event marks the 24th year of the World’s Greatest Studio Tour. We are celebrating by offering participants who visit every stop on the tour the opportunity to win pieces of art donated by tour members. Visit the WGST website (worldsgreateststudiotour.com) for more information.
This year there are 13 stops on the tour featuring studios from downtown Bowling Green to out in the beautiful Warren County countryside.
We are fortunate to welcome back well-known Kentucky artists Delaire Rowe and Cassidy Johnson, who will show their mixed-media works at Art Matters Community Studio alongside watercolors by Teresa Christmas. Visitors to this tour destination can create their own art prints!
You don’t have to walk far to visit another stop on the tour. Little Fox Bakery features artful photographs of horses in the wild by Jan Trabue. As you sample the sweet things Little Fox has to offer, browse the hand-pulled fine art prints of WKU art faculty member Marilee Salvator and members of the WKU Print Club. For an added treat, watch a printing press run by these talented artists in action.
Also downtown is The Pots Place, where it is always a delight to drop in on Robert Love, who calls his art “recycled brushstrokes.” He actually does a mosaic style technique, cutting aluminum cans. Quite the Kentucky artist, Love’s art can be found in galleries in Lexington, Berea, Frankfort and Louisville, but you can visit him right in Bowling Green!
The Pushin Building Artists’ Studio features five artists. Always environmentally conscious, Cindy Houston is currently creating wearable art using natural fibers and locally sourced dyes. Laura McGee creates beautiful and unique designs on silk scarves and other silk items. Myra Dwyer creates paintings with multiple layers and acrylic pours and uses the drip off to make jewelry and key chains. Angie Alexieff and Terry Wilson will have watercolor paintings for sale.
There are some traditions we hope never change and the opportunity to visit Alice Gatewood Waddell’s home studio on Main Street is one of them. Alice’s home is a gallery itself, and she usually has the art of cuisine on her table as well. Her works are always available to see in the RoGallery in New York City, as well as the E&S Gallery in Louisville.
The Crocker Law office honors the late Helen Crocker, whose contributions to local art are also remembered this time each year, by opening their space to Jill Gentry and her award winning jewelry, made with gold and silver wire and semi-precious stones, as well as the paintings of regional artists Jennifer and Jesse Ray Sims.
New on the tour is True Fables Pottery Studio where you can see pottery demonstrations along with the fine work of potters Ryan Smith and Bob Brigl.
Another well-known Kentucky artist, Mitchell Rickman, offers pottery-making demonstrations at his studio, Rickman Pottery, on 14th Street. Although you can collect his wheel-thrown stoneware for all your kitchen needs by visiting gift shops and galleries all around the state, you don’t have to go very far to watch him create it.
When you are headed out Cemetery Road stop in at Briar Rose Garden and see the unique original art and prints of mother and daughter duo Alida Akers and Rebecca Akers. The wonderful wooden turnings of David LeNoir will also be on display at this location.
Local artist Lynn Robertson has worked behind the scenes over many years to ensure the quality of the Tour. She and her partner in art, Claude Robertson, both award-winning painters, share a home studio that is another beautiful stop along the tour, with oil paintings, pastels and mixed media works you will want to purchase.
Two more not-to-miss studios on the scenic route include the original oil paintings and prints of Rhonda Hartis Smith onCarter Road and Missi Carini’s fused glass works, paintings, and prints on Timberhill Avenue.
This studio is on the outskirts of town, but during this fall season it’s well worth the drive: Studio G is the home studio of Karen Genter, who displays a wide array of different types of art and affordable gifts ranging from photography to pottery to painting and wood block prints. She also will demonstrate the playing and the building of her bamboo flutes.
Studio Tour brochures with a map and directions to these locations are available at every studio, at all branches of the Warren County Public Library and online at worldsgreateststudiotour.com. For the latest information and updates follow the World’s Greatest Studio Tour on Facebook and on Instagram #worldsgreateststudiotour.
Hopefully, you are beginning to see what makes the World’s Greatest Studio Tour… well, the world’s greatest! It’s been 24 years now and no one has challenged us for the title – a claim that not even Muhammed Ali (also one of Kentucky’s greatest) could make during his reign at the top of his game! Still not convinced? Mark your calendars for November 2 and 3! Take the tour! Visit all the studios and win some fine art! It only happens once a year, and it only happens here!
-by Teresa Christmas & Cindy Houston
