Worthington wildlife artist Debra Lynn Ireland lives in the far western reaches of Greater Sudbury, but she still expects a good turnout to her studio this weekend. She is one of 50 local artists participating in the annual Sudbury Art Tour being held this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

“The Sudbury Art Tour is the best show for us (artists). It is very well publicized and is at a time when people are shopping for art,” said Ireland.

The Sudbury Crafts and Art Foundation (SCARF), which organized the event, has printed 15,000 brochures outlining where the artists have their studios around the city. People can use the map provided to tour studios this weekend, or save it for future reference.

“The brochure is at the libraries, citizen centres and most art stores,” said Ann Suzuki, organizer and hand dyed-silk and batik artist. It is also on the group’s website at www.scarf.ca.

Ireland lives in Beaver Lake, a half hour west of Sudbury, past Penage Lake Road (The SCARF tour map has her incorrectly located before Penage Lake Road.) Her studio is located at 50 Ella Rd., about 20 minutes west of Lively.

“Look for the tour banner,” she said. She will be open until 7 p.m. on Saturday for the art tour.

“I hope that because I am the furthest away, people will tour the more central studios during the day and come to visit me afterwards in the afternoon and early evening,” she said.

Ireland's wildlife art has been recognized by organizations such as the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Endangered Species of Canada and the Canadian Conservation Stamp Guide. She was selected in 2008 by Ducks Unlimited Canada for the National Art Portfolio with her polar bear painting, Sweet Dreams.

Sue Lampinen is another participant in the tour. Her shop is located at 1350 Regent St. Also nearby is Bill Whittaker, a wood carver, at 851 Robinson Dr. Garth Wunsch of Avenue Twelve Photography will be at the Frame Maker in the Cedar Point Mall at 1984 Regent St. throughout the tour.

Art providers are not all spread out in various parts of the city, said Suzuki.

“You can even do a walking tour. Durham Street downtown has four or five studios and participants, ranging from the Books and Beans location, to the McKibbon Studio, to Victoria’s Custom Framing and Stitchery. Nearby is Market Square, where the Northern Initiative for Social Action will have their artists’ work this year.”