“I always thought that was just a storage shed — who knew all the incredible things she was creating inside!” This astonished reaction from a tour-goer perfectly captured the sentiment shared by many during the 2024 Boundary County Artist Studio Tour, held last weekend.

Over a hundred people spent Saturday and Sunday uncovering the hidden creative talents tucked away throughout our community, revealing a wealth of artistic treasures in the most unexpected places. Twelve incredible artists opened up their studios (or garages, or barns–wherever they create) and invited the public to Connect & Collect.  

This event was more than just a local affair. Our extensive advertising efforts resulted in groups from Creston, Montana, Spokane, Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, and more. A glass artist, passing through from Oregon, mentioned that out of all the many studio tours he’d attended, ours was by far the most enjoyable. 

I loved hearing how visitors felt welcomed by the artists and invited to experience each one’s creative process. There is something really special and unique about not just seeing the final product, but the whole act of bringing these things to life. 

Each artist brought something unique to the table. One of the most talked-about was Denys Knight, whose copper artwork fascinated visitors. She demonstrated how she “paints” with flames to achieve various colors in copper, and how she uses chemical processes to add texture and depth. Her artistry was many people’s favorite stop on the tour, and she had several interested in taking a private lesson with her. Down the road was Darrelyn Rose with her acrylic paintings featuring portraits, landscapes, and still-lifes. Darrelyn also teaches drawing and painting to a handful of students each year. 

Bill Cox, located up the scenic Westside Road, also made a lasting impression. His studio, set up in his barn, turned out to be a picturesque setting for his depictions of rural Idaho life. Many visitors said they were glad they made the drive to experience his work in such a fitting environment, and that they enjoyed hearing about the adventures that accompany his work. 

Diana Stover, a multi-faceted creator who works with pastels, fiber arts, and various other mediums that strike her fancy, was overjoyed when she sold one of her prized quilts.  

Curtis at District 16 provided an interesting historical angle with his photography, featuring images from the 1970s through the Ruby Ridge era of North Idaho. Opposite him on the north end was A. Lee Harris with her sculptures of horses and other 3D work. 

Then there was Jenni Barry, who specializes in the Japanese artform of kimekomi. Her art shares similarities with quilting, but instead of sewing, the fabric is tucked and folded into grooves. She is enthusiastic about teaching this technique, and she said she had many visitors interested in classes that she offers.  

Another highlight was Heather Todd, who showed her earthy indigo-dyed works here at my gallery, Teascarlet Fine Art. It was fascinating to learn more about her methods. She grows and processes the indigo plant herself to create various blue pigments. Heather also works as my gallery assistant one day a week, and she was absolutely invaluable in setting up the website, artist application process, and all the behind-the-scenes work that made the tour run smoothly! 

On day 2 of the tour Zackery Richards, a tattoo and airbrush artist, performed a live tattoo demonstration. The buzz around this event was palpable, as visitors were treated to the rare opportunity of watching an artist at work in such an intimate setting. He shares a studio with Theresa Stahl, who said that his tattooing was the star of the show on Sunday. Their shared space is a lively combination of colorful, airy fantasy and dark mysteries.  

Last but not least is my vibrant co-host, Tamara Wagner. Using a scroll saw to create detailed colorful puzzle art out of wood, she creates everything from landscapes to pop culture icons and everything in-between. Her energy and enthusiasm throughout the planning process were key to making this event a success. We are already planning our next collaborations–both for a physical work of art as well as upcoming events we are excited to put together. 

The Artist Studio Tour exceeded all of my expectations, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome. After six months of planning and coordinating, it was amazing to receive so much positive feedback about the event. What a huge success! It was rewarding to see so many people enjoying the event, discovering the talent that’s been quietly thriving in our community. 

As the weekend wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on the sense of community that the Artist Studio Tour fostered. Events like these remind us just how much talent we have right here at home. It was a true celebration of the power of creativity, and I’m already looking forward to building on that momentum with events to come. 

Hannah Sucsy owns and operates Teascarlet Fine Art in Bonners Ferry.

    Theresa Stahl shows her art at her studio as part of the Boundary County Artist Studio Tour.