The Annual Whitchurch-Stouffville Studio Tour has grown into a vibrant event featuring more than thirty artists across over twenty venues. It all began many years ago, when a small group of like-minded individuals sought a way to showcase their artistic talents to the local community. Before the revitalization of Nineteen on the Park, the former Stouffville municipal offices were home to a group of local artists. The Clocktower Potters rented space for their kiln, while three local painters transformed former clerk offices into working studios. During the 2000 holiday season, these artists held an exhibition and sale of their work. The event drew curious visitors, received positive feedback, and a Stouffville tradition was born. From these modest beginnings, the town’s artistic community began to take notice. In 2002, following several enthusiastic meetings, the event was given a name, a logo, and a brochure — and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Studio Tour and Sale officially began. That inaugural year, seven potters and nine painters expanded their exhibition space to include the old town council chambers. The local business community supported the effort by purchasing advertising space for signage and promotional materials, while the local press began its ongoing and enthusiastic coverage. By the third year, the event began to truly embody the “studio tour” concept, as participating artists committed to opening their homes and workspaces to the public. In 2003, the Latcham Gallery — the town’s public art gallery — was added as a venue, bringing the total to seven. That year also established the weekend following Thanksgiving as the tour’s permanent annual date. As more artists expressed interest in participating, an Executive Committee was formed in 2004 to manage the tour and coordinate with the growing membership. A jurying process was introduced to maintain a consistent standard of artistic quality for new participants. That same year, it was agreed that the tour would remain within the boundaries of Whitchurch-Stouffville, though local artists could invite guest artists from beyond the area. The sixth edition of the tour marked a turning point. Local news declared that the Studio Tour had “come of age.” For the first time, a colourful banner stretched across Main Street, joining the roster of community events promoted in this way. A free draw for a $200 certificate toward art purchases was introduced, and a full-colour brochure helped draw more than two hundred visitors to each of the twenty participating venues. That year also saw the For the Love of Jo coffee house become a tour partner, displaying Studio Tour artwork throughout September and hosting solo exhibitions by tour members year-round. In 2008, the Studio Tour established its online presence — first through a blog, then on Twitter, followed by Facebook and Instagram. The ability to connect with the public throughout the year has become an invaluable way to maintain the Studio Tour’s mission of providing access to the visual arts in an open and welcoming environment. The Studio Tour continues to bring together an eclectic group of artists working across a wide variety of media. Collectively, they boast numerous awards and recognitions, including an internationally renowned sculptor, an award-winning nature photographer, a nationally recognized Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) artist, a Pastel Artists of Canada Master Pastellist, members of the Ontario Society of Artists, trained graphic designers and art educators, and graduates of the Ontario College of Art and Design. Studio Tour artists work in media ranging from acrylic, oil, and watercolour to metalwork, fused glass, wood carving, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and pottery. They continue to exhibit in juried shows and galleries across the region, including the Colour and Form Society Annual Juried Show, the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour Annual Open Juried Show, the Latcham Gallery Annual Juried Show, the Varley Gallery, the John B. Aird Gallery, and many others. The Studio Tour’s mandate remains unchanged: to provide access to visual art in an open environment, where it is created, allowing the public to connect with the artists living and working in their community. The artists of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Studio Tour look forward to continuing this mission for many years to come.