KEHNE'S TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME 

TOURNÉE DES 20 VISITORS

For those who have never taken the tour, here are a few tips

•  Spend a few moments planning an itinerary based upon personal interests. 

•  Set a reasonable daily objective for visits, especially if there are young children in tow. Three to four studios per day may be a comfortable number, considering the area covered by the tour and don’t be surprised if you feel inclined to linger.

• Don’t expect to see every workshop: stress quality of visit over quantity.

•  Give yourself time to enjoy the process: there is no final exam at the end of the tour. 

•  Dress comfortably and pack some snacks or a picnic lunch to enjoy on the long ride across the area’s back roads. 

•  Live dangerously: if you are strictly a “crafts” person, throw into your mix one Fine Arts studio (or vice-versa). The sheer variety of skills, styles and media creates the opportunity for the discovery of new interests.

•  Finally, remember that many of the studios are open by appointment throughout the year. 

•  The artists and artisans of La Tournee des 20 are looking forward to welcoming you in their studios.

* Caroline Kehne is a freelance journalist in the Eastern Townships, working in collaboration with the Lake Champlain Weekly.