Events

The 27th annual Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST Inc.) applications to exhibit are now available to area artists. Open link for an application to download and print or go to www.iowaarttour.com, click on the events/news tab, or contact Darla Ellickson at darla@earloops.com or 563-382-2295.

The 2024 Tour takes place October 11, 12 & 13, 2024. 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 April 1, 2024.

The self-guided Tour is specially timed to enjoy the fall color and travels in scenic northeast Iowa, for a behind-the-scenes view into the Artists’ personal workspace.

Participating in the 2023 event featured inclusion of color photos of your artwork and contact information in top quality 15,000+ 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 almost 6,000 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. The comprehensive website www.iowaarttour.com includes PDF downloads of the brochure to print, plus so much more: artist-at-work videos, more images of artwork, places to eat and stay on your “art”venture, and an interactive google map to visit all the studios!

2023 Tour was made possible by Sponsors: Darla and Glen Ellickson of Ellickson Jewelry Studio & Gallery, Dave and Brenda Carlson, New Albin Savings Bank, Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism, Decorah Bank and Trust, Viking State Bank/Waukon State Bank, Inspire(d) Media, KCZQ Radio, and LA Communications KVIK/KDHK-HawkRawk/KNEI/TheRiver. Friends of the Arts included: Douglas Cole – Art Pottery, Paul Corbin – Pottery, Elea Jourdan – Fiber/Santas, and Citizens Savings Bank – Spillville/Fort Atkinson/Protivin. Businesses for the Arts: A&J Petersburg Agency. In-kind Tour sponsors: Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, and Julie Strom Photography, plus ad support from area hotels, cabins, B & B’s and restaurants. Brochures are distributed through area businesses, participating artists’ client mailing lists and at art shows.

If you are interested in supporting area Tourism and the Arts by becoming a Sponsor, Advertiser, Friend, or Art Supporter, contact Glen Ellickson at 563-419-6963. 2024 brochures will be available in July.