The 23rd annual Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST Inc.) applications to exhibit are now available to area artists. For an 2020 application PDF or more information go to www.iowaarttour.com click on the events/news tab or contact Darla Ellickson at darla@earloops.com or 563-382-2295. The 2020 Tour takes place October 2, 3 & 4, 2020. Studios are open 10 to 5 daily.
Media considered is limited to Fine Art and Fine Craft. Items include: Painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay/ceramics, wood, glass, metal, printmaking, mixed media, handmade paper, fiber, etc. as appropriate at Fine Art Fairs. All works must be original in concept and design and must have been executed by the applicant: works from molds or kits, commercial or manufactured items, and buy/sell are not permitted. Tour exhibitors qualify as “fine artists,” meaning, “They possess the skill to expand and adapt even a high-end craft with individual vision.” Artist’s applications for tour entry are juried, and participants are selected for their work’s technique, quality, and vision, and their studios must reside within 40 miles of Decorah, in Iowa. Postmark deadline for submitting an application is March 16, 2020.
The self-guided Tour is specially timed to enjoy the fall color and travels along winding gravel roads, for a behind-the-scenes view into the Artists’ personal workspace.
Participating in this event features inclusion of color photos of your artwork and contact information in top quality full-color posters and 20-30,000 brochures, complete with detailed map with GPS to studio locations. These brochures are distributed in many ways, including: being personally handed-out by the touring Artists throughout the country; through a bulk-mailing of nearly 9,000 brochures to the pre-qualified mailing lists of the Artists; to special requests to area Tourism venues; and from the tour drawing cards requesting information.
Sponsors in 2019 included: The Major Studio Tour sponsors were KDEC Radio FM 100.5/AM 1240 and Wennes Communications KVIK/KNEI/KDHK/KRMV. Sponsors: Darla and Glen Ellickson of Ellickson Jewelry Studio & Gallery, New Albin Savings Bank, Dave and Brenda Carlson, Decorah Bank and Trust, Bank of the West of Decorah, Viking State Bank/Waukon State Bank, Inspire(d) Media, Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, and KCZQ Radio FM 102.3. Friends of the Arts on the Tour include: Douglas Cole – Art Pottery, Paul Corbin – Pottery, and Citizens Savings Bank of Spillville, Fort Atkinson and Protivin. Businesses for the Arts: Magpie Cafe and Coffeehouse, A&J Petersburg Agency, and Nate and Hallie Evans of Allamakee Wood-fired Pottery. The Preview show by Art Haus, located at Impact Coffee in downtown Decorah, was sponsored by Cardboard Robot. In-kind Tour sponsors: Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Trevor Huinker Solutions, and Julie Strom Photography, plus ad support from area hotels, cabins, B & B’s and restaurants. 23,500 brochures are distributed through area businesses, participating artists’ client mailing lists and at art shows on a national level.
If you are interested in supporting area Tourism and the Arts by becoming a sponsor or advertiser, or a “Friend or Business for the Arts”, contact Glen Ellickson at 563-419-6963. 2020 brochures will be available in May.