Artist studio tour in Lewiston and Youngstown

Seven Lewiston and Youngstown artists invite readers to five locations in Lewiston and Youngstown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, July 23. Participating artists include: Sarah Bonse, Janet Gillis, Michelle Marcotte, Carol Mathewson, Nina Randall, Kath Schifano and Anne Zohur.

“Each of us looks forward to meeting visitors in our studios or in some of our favorite places to paint,“ said Marcotte, organizer of the River Region Artists’ Studio Tour and Art Walk. “It’s a casual and friendly way to see and purchase art and get to know artists whose work you will love.”

Marcotte advises visitors to, “Just start anywhere on the list. Each artist will have a list of the locations and a map. I’ll be exhibiting paintings of summer produce and flowers and my books for children. Kath Schifano, a well-known plein air painter, will also exhibit her paintings of local scenes and other subjects with Michelle at 468 Fort Gray in Lewiston.”

Gillis, new to the studio tour this year, will exhibit her paintings and handmade jewelry at Tom Tower’s Market on Ridge Road in Youngstown.

“I wanted to highlight the Niagara County agricultural scene, and the Tom Tower Market is a great place to pick up local produce at 759 Lockport Road in Youngstown,” she said.

Mathewson and Zohur exhibit in Anne’s front yard at 545 Mountain View Drive, Lewiston. Both well-known artists will show realistic and abstract art in watercolor, oil and mixed media.

“Visitors to our studio tour exhibit this year can see my new range of abstracts in softly layered vibrant colors,” Mathewson said. “And Anne has a new line of really intriguing mixed-media pieces.”

Bonse is also new to the studio tour.

“I make masquerade masks and accessories from luxurious materials such as feathers and silk,” she said. “Masks can be worn or hung as wall art.”

She is located just a few houses away from Marcotte, at 5264 Hewitt Parkway, Lewiston.

Randall has chosen an excellent location to showcase her work and Niagara County’s winery scene.

“I’ll be exhibiting my paintings while I paint at the Bella Rose Winery at 1243 Ridge Road, Lewiston,” she said. “Bella Rose is open from noon until 6 p.m., so it would be a great place to end the afternoon of studio visits.

“The other artists are planning to join me at Bella Rose Winery after 4 to celebrate the success of the River Region Artists’ Studio Tour and Art Walk. We are all looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends.”