Tour goes back to basics
Posted By SUSAN DOOLAN
Posted 2 months ago
Oro-Medonte's 16th annual Christmas Art and Craft Tour expands, this year, to include a fourth location. Opening up the 'White House' also marks a return to the tour's origins.
It ran for the first 11 years out of Buffi Woronka's Oro-Medonte 'white house' home. Once it became too big, with multiple arts and craft exhibitors covering three levels of her home, she moved it out into the community.
This year, the customary three locations continue and the main level of the White House has show six artists with a variety of mediums ranging from photography, to textiles, oil, mixed media, and some sculpture. She expects one of the exhibitors at this location will have a gourmet treat for sale -- chocolate decorated gingerbread.
"I know of so many incredibly talented artists I really wanted to reopen the house with a dedicated art show -- just because there is so much talent in this part of the world," Woronka said.
The Christmas art and craft tour features a total of 26 artists and artisans, most from around Simcoe County. Around 40% are new this year, but many of the popular favourites are returning: jams and jellies, beeswax candles, rustic birdhouses, maple, syrup, antiques and knitting.
"Each space is unique," said Woronka, adding that there is no duplication of exhibitors, one of the reasons, she feels, for the tour's success. "The Oro Station Community Hall, in the heart of the village was added several years ago. I call it the small jewel of the tour."
Located at 31 Ridge Rd. E., the Oro Station Community Hall features six exhibitors who have between them everything from pottery to soap, Christmas ornaments, primitive fabric folk-art, and lots of knitted items for all ages. There is also a continuous bake sale -- a cup of coffee, tea and a muffin will also be available.
St. Thomas' Church Hall is located beside St. Thomas' Church, 28 Church St., Line 2 South in the village of Shanty Bay. In addition to antiques, artisans here have rag rugs, hand-knit sweaters for children, silver and gold jewelry and quilted items. It is also home to an all-day lunch, served by the women of Shanty Bay.
The Old Town Hall, Oro Fairgrounds, is located at the intersection of Oro-Medonte Line 7 and the 15-16th sideroad. There are a total of 14 exhibitors over two floors, including a couple of food-oriented booths such as Epicure (herbs, spices and seasonal dips). This hall also has an all-day cafe and bake sale.
"It's just a party and this year there's a Christmas crafts corner and face painting (for the kids)," Woronka added. "It's got a real atmosphere unto itself plus there are musical instruments (playing background music) on the stage throughout the show."
All sites are well marked and are located within 10 minutes of each other; five minutes to the White House from Oro Station. All three halls have plenty of parking. White House parking is limited to the wide shoulders of Ridge Road (628 Ridge Rd. E. between Oro Line 8 and 9) -- tour-goers visiting this location tomorrow evening are asked to bring a flashlight to light their way up the driveway and slippers for inside the house.
The 16th annual Christmas Art and Craft Tour runs tomorrow and Saturday, 9 a. m. to 7 p. m. on Friday, and from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. on Saturday. Admission is free. Cash or cheque accepted at all locations. Food donations for Barrie's Out of the Cold program and cash donations for the Orillia Sharing Place will be accepted at each location.
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