Markleeville artists prepare for open studio tour Oct. 7-8

The Markleeville Artists Autumn Open Studios are getting ready for an open art studio tour planned for the weekend of Oct. 7-8. This year the Markleeville artists will celebrate the "Changing of the Leaves," and with a little luck, Mother Nature will join this group of talented artisians by "painting" her canvas, the aspens of Alpine County, with her array of golden yellows and vibrant orange in time for the event.

A dozen artists, who live and work in Markleeville, will open their studios to the public for the fourth annual Markleeville Artists Autumn Open Studios between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days of the tour.

New to the tour this year will be Evelyn Yonkers, Linda Stallcup, Debra Esteban and Dale Bennett as they join event regulars Sandra Baenan, Todd Brandscombe, Jan Brees, Jeff Brees, Peter Chope, Susan Flakus, Gina Gigli, Kay Jobst, Charles Muench, Jennifer Vaughn, Mark and Carolyn Vaughn and Deidre Wallace and Tanya Berger.

The location of each artist and their studio location will be indicated by an Aspen leaf on a free, easy to follow, map that can be obtained at the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce, the first building on the right as you come into town from Woodfords. The artists and their studios are all located in Markleeville, Markleevillage as well as in the Woodfords, Mesa and Diamond Valley areas.

There will be a wide variety items to see, new works by the initial contributors, and the addition of the artists, new to the 2006 tour, will provide a fresh perspective of the arts in Alpine County.

For more information about this event, contact Villa Gigli, 530-694-2253 or go to www.charlesmuench.com for complete information concerning this fun fall event.