Thickwood Hills Studio Trail History
The Thickwood Hills Studio Trail was inspired by a trip to Ontario, taken by Rigmor
Clarke, a renowned Saskatchewan impressionistic landscape painter. There she
discovered studio tours were a common sight. Rigmor recognized the wealth of artistic
talent in the Shell lake area and realized that this was an opportunity to make their art
accessible to everyone.
Upon returning to Saskatchewan, Clarke sat down with her fellow artists, and the
Thickwood Hills Studio Trail was born. In its first year, the tour had 8 artists.
Admittedly, they had some learning to do. They were mind boggled by the
response and how much they had to have on hand and produce, realizing that “if you
want to be serious about it, it takes a whole year to prepare for it. It’s a big undertaking.”
(Clarke)
Since its inception in 2001, The Thickwood Hills Studio Trail has evolved into
Saskatchewan’s premier self drive tour. Every year, on the second weekend in August,
hundreds of people take this opportunity to explore the boreal forest beauty that is the
Thickwood Hills, travelling the back roads to studios across the trail to visit the artists in
their studios, purchase original art and in some cases, watch the artists at work.
We salute the founding members, on whose shoulders we stand. We appreciate the
vision and efforts of:
Rigmor Clarke – impressionistic landscape artist and
2020 recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Jim and Debbie Jensen – bronze sculpture
Ann Jones – water colour and pencil
Don Dobrowolski – wood carvings
Giles Lalond – rustic garden art
Galen Kennel – blacksmith
Ken Zeeh – wood and metal sculpture
Jeannette Bowes – painting and sculpture
*Shellbrook Chronicle
*CAA Saskatchewan
*2021 Brochue
The Thickwood Hills Studio Trail was inspired by a trip to Ontario, taken by Rigmor
Clarke, a renowned Saskatchewan impressionistic landscape painter. There she
discovered studio tours were a common sight. Rigmor recognized the wealth of artistic
talent in the Shell lake area and realized that this was an opportunity to make their art
accessible to everyone.
Upon returning to Saskatchewan, Clarke sat down with her fellow artists, and the
Thickwood Hills Studio Trail was born. In its first year, the tour had 8 artists.
Admittedly, they had some learning to do. They were mind boggled by the
response and how much they had to have on hand and produce, realizing that “if you
want to be serious about it, it takes a whole year to prepare for it. It’s a big undertaking.”
(Clarke)
Since its inception in 2001, The Thickwood Hills Studio Trail has evolved into
Saskatchewan’s premier self drive tour. Every year, on the second weekend in August,
hundreds of people take this opportunity to explore the boreal forest beauty that is the
Thickwood Hills, travelling the back roads to studios across the trail to visit the artists in
their studios, purchase original art and in some cases, watch the artists at work.
We salute the founding members, on whose shoulders we stand. We appreciate the
vision and efforts of:
Rigmor Clarke – impressionistic landscape artist and
2020 recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Jim and Debbie Jensen – bronze sculpture
Ann Jones – water colour and pencil
Don Dobrowolski – wood carvings
Giles Lalond – rustic garden art
Galen Kennel – blacksmith
Ken Zeeh – wood and metal sculpture
Jeannette Bowes – painting and sculpture
*Shellbrook Chronicle
*CAA Saskatchewan
*2021 Brochue