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Risa Waldt’s Fall North Rim Grand Canyon
The Oracle Artist Studio Tour will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The tour has been condensed this year to 18 locations to make it easier for visitors to find and see all the wonderful art work. There will be 43 artists and artisans exhibiting their work this year.
This will be the 24th year that the tour has been in existence. The tour will be dedicated this year to the memory of one of its founders, Michael Collett who passed away last year.
Rich Vokoun’s Leaf Bowl
Many of us who lived in Oracle remember Michael fondly. He grew up in the area. His family owned and operated Pat & Mike’s in Oracle. Michael was a photographer and quite a number of Tri-Community residents have photographs of their children, wedding pictures, portraits, etc. in their homes that Michael used his talent to produce. I know of this personally as Michael photographed my daughter’s wedding at the 3C Ranch and did portraits of my kids growing up. Rest in Peace, Mike.
Michael Collet’s wife, Jenny Kilb is one of the artists on the tour and has shared their story of the beginning of the Oracle Artists Studio Tour. It follows below:
Michael Collett 1951 – 2015
Some time in the early 90s, Michael Collett and his wife, Jenny Kilb, realized a need for a showcase for artists in Oracle, other than Rancho Linda Vista. The result was the Oracle Artist Studio Tour, which has gone through a few names and organizers. One of the major goals was to draw more artists to live and work in Oracle, and offering them more visibility. This goal has obviously succeeded.
Michael, a 40 year resident of Oracle, starting as a child behind the counter of his parent’s business, became a portrait and fine art photographer, a man who knew everyone in the region, and liked everyone he knew. So, his wife being shy, he became the driving force behind the tour, personally contacting the artists and signing them up for this scary new adventure. Eventually he taught his wife how not to be shy, and how to talk to and enjoy people.
In the first few years of the tour, Michael and Jenny did all the work, with a bit of help now and then. Today the Tour has internet and committees, and at least three times the number of artists. Michael would be so pleased to see how his dream has grown.
You can pick up a self guiding map and list of artists at the Welcome Center at the Tri-Community Visitor Center at 1470 W. American. The Studio Tour map/brochure and community information is also available at www.visittricommunity.org. To view a slide show of artwork by participating artists visit www.oraclestudiotour.com.
Karen Medley’s Sweet Say’s Phoebe
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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