Nineteen of the 21 artists and craftsmen participating in this year’s Over the Mountain Studio Tour pose for a group photo. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — This Saturday and Sunday, the 32nd Annual Over the Mountain Studio Tour will be returning to Jefferson County.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the studios of 10 local artists and craftsmen will be available for viewing by the public. Each studio will feature the work of the studio owner, along with at least one other local artist, according to tour organizer Joy Bridy.

“Our studios are swept, newest work polished and tagged and guest artists made to feel at home,” Bridy said. “We’re ready to host [visitors] for a beautiful weekend of laughter and falling in love with the fruits of our labors. From fruit-covered majolica serving bowls to whimsical animal sculptures, unbelievably smooth polished wood benches to subtle Appalachian-inspired felted images, we’re ready to show you the best of Jefferson County.”

According to Bridy, the self-guided tour is going to be even bigger this year than it has been in years past.

“In 2021, we welcome three new stops, three new tour members, two emerging artists and 16 returning members!” Bridy said, mentioning many of the tour artisans have regional and national recognition. “Our new stops include Danielle Corsetto’s home studio in Shepherdstown, the Shenandoah Planing Mill outside of Charles Town and Anne Rule Thompson’s new home studio, which is different than her Rivers Gallery location from past years. Our two emerging artists are Luke Bauer, maker of rustic basketry, and Laurie Monsma, maker of art quilts and adventurous textiles.”

The juried tour participants are: Charles Steven Adams (hand hewn bowls and furniture), Lisa Ashton (bead and textile arts), Tara Bell (dreamy pastels and acrylics), Anne Bowers (heirloom baskets), Joy Bridy (ceramics and brooms), Bridget Brown (Headspring Farm & Fiber Mill), Linda Case (mixed media polymer clay and alcohol inks), Danielle Corsetto (comic series writer and artist), Rod Glover (botanical collage and assemblage), Liz Goins (paper and book arts), Eric Johnson (Southwood Farm Forge blacksmith), Rose Mendez (hand forged jewelry), Diane Myers (fiber artist and traditional hand weaver), Pam and Ren Parziale (Sycamore Pottery), Nancy Streeter (woodcarver), Neil Super (wood turner), Anne Rule Thompson (ceramics and encaustics) and Tim Wohleber (wood and twig furniture).

Many similar events, featuring local artists and craftsmen, are only being resumed this year, after being forced to cancel due to COVID-19 Pandemic concerns. The Over the Mountain Studio Tour was an exception to that, as its participants were able to ensure COVID-19 safety precautions could be followed at all of its locations last year. As the pandemic has continued to rage on across the globe this year, Bridy noted that safety precautions will once again be made, to protect the participants and public alike.

“For our 32nd year, after thoughtful preparation, we are following Covid Conscious event protocols, including masks indoors and social distancing,” Bridy said. “We have also decided to forego our printed brochures, pivoting towards a stronger digital presence, refreshing our website to include GPS-enhanced maps, as well as offering printed maps at all stops for anyone in need.”

To learn more and access a tour map, visit https://www.overthemountainstudiotour.com/.