Our Story
The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour was established in the early 1990s by a small group of artists and craftspeople who were seeking a way to collaborate to increase the profile of their art practices and support themselves financially. The MVST is among the earliest tours to be established in Ontario.
Since its beginning, the MVST has grown from a small collective of artists concentrated in the western Ottawa Valley to a full tour spanning from Combermere in the west to Eganville in the east. The tour now features more than 30 craft and fine artists annually, and runs twice a year in the summer and autumn.
Our Mission Statement
The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is a collective of artists, craftspeople and makers based in the western Ottawa Valley (Combermere to Eganville). Studio tour members work together to invite the public to visit their studios with the intention of increasing financial opportunities and providing professional support to each other.
Through demonstrations and depictions of the art creation process, MVST creates opportunities for the public to experience a deeper understanding of the creative process and purchase high-quality, handmade products directly from the creators. MVST endeavours to collaborate with local businesses and organizations to bolster the local economy wherever possible.
Our Marketing Philosophy
We believe in holistic marketing. When our neighbours succeed, we all succeed! Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is expanding from a twice-yearly event to a year-round experience where both area residents and visitors are invited to visit studios and nearby attractions at any time of the year, as well as during the big tour weekends.
Although the art studios will continue to be the main focus of the tour, other related sites and attractions are now integrated into the website to create a holistic approach to promote the full experience of the Valley. Our sponsors are promoted as part of the Valley experience.
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