Good vibes, great art on display

Charleswood

Tuxedo

Headingley

Art lovers will soon have a chance to step into the studio of a number of local artists.

Launched in 2018 by members of the Charleswood Art Group, the Harte Trail Studio Tour has become an annual tradition in west Winnipeg. This year’s tour, which features 20 curated artists and their home studios, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21.

Greg Fritz is a stonecarver who is taking part in the tour for the second time.

“If it’s good weather, I’ll be outside, which will also make it wheelchair accessible,” Fritz said. “If it’s not, then people can come inside and check everything out indoors.”

Fritz first took part in the tour in 2021, but then moved away. Now, he’s back in Charleswood and excited to share his work with the community.

“I’m carving 99 per cent of the time alone,” he said. “So I was lucky enough, (in 2021) back when the weather was beautiful, (to be) able to carve while everyone was looking at everything. I got about halfway through a piece that weekend, carving for eight hours a day.”

Fritz first took up stonecarving in 2002, after he was gifted two pieces of raw soapstone and some chisels.

“I didn’t know what to do with it, so I took a couple daytime classes on how to carve,” he recalled. “I carved one piece in one class and it worked out pretty good, but the next piece was an absolute disaster. But I had the know-how to carve the two raw pieces that were gifted to me, and I enjoyed the whole process, how I can turn my brain off from the world, and I never stopped from there.”

Since then, Fritz said he completes a few large pieces a year.

“Mostly as a hobby, mostly at the lake, outside, amongst nature, which is where I get my inspiration. I’ve entered a few pieces in juried shows and won a few awards, done a few gallery shows,” he said. “What’s neat about stone carving, everyone says they’re not an artist, but I tell people, have you ever carved a marshmallow stick or made a walking cane? That’s carving. Anyone can learn if they try.”

Along with Fritz, the 2025 Harte Trail Art Tour includes: C. Foster, Phillip Brake, Ray Christopherson, Ann Rallison, Diane Levit, Arlene Cherepak, Worth Hayden, Terry Murray, Shelley Mollot, Lori Cote, Pamela Gerbrandt, Beth Maurer, Rosella Farmer, JoAnn Day, Carin Jetté, Anne Marie Layman, Debbie Lawson, Steve Mclean, Joanne Harris, and Shirley Rayner.

“Having people come to your home and see, as they look at each piece and discuss amongst each other each piece, them coming up to me and asking so many questions — even seeing kids getting excited about pieces — it’s just an overall good feeling, a good vibe,” Fritz said.

Visitors can pick up a Harte Trail Studio Tour passport at their first stop of the day. Those who visit at least five studios, and get their passports stamped, will be entered into a draw to win $400 towards a piece of art for sale during the weekend.

For more details, including a map, visit hartetrailstudiotour.net