After 30 wonderful years, the artists express their gratitude as they announce the end of the annual Welcome Back to Otterville Studio Tour.
Oct 14, 2025 • Last updated Oct 14, 2025 •
Linda De Jonghe File
As the saying goes, “All good things come to an end.”
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After a successful run of three decades, it’s with mixed emotions that the artists will no longer be hosting the beloved Welcome Back to Otterville Studio Tour. It’s been a rewarding event for both creators and attendees alike.
Many local artists will still be available by appointment and participating in various shows and shops around town throughout the year. If you have a favorite artist or are looking for gifts, don’t hesitate to reach out; they’d love to help you out.
Sue Goossens, one of the founding members of the Welcome Back tour, is opening her home gallery on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23 from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Be sure to stop by and check out her latest watercolors. If you’d like to visit at another time, just call 519-879-6352 or email suegoossens@gmail. com or visit her website at www. suegoossens. ca.
Sue showcases natural subjects through her unique watercolor technique. Her loose style combined with bright colors is what makes her work stand out. She has plenty of original pieces ready for viewing and welcomes commissions too.
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The holiday season is approaching fast! Many people still enjoy sending cards during this time. Trudy Verberne crafts beautiful greeting cards designed specifically for Christmas and all occasions-perfect timing to stock up! She’ll be open at her home studio located at 225719 Otterville Road on November 15 from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. You can reach Trudy at 519-636-3007 or tmverberne@gmail. com; she’s also active on Facebook.
If you’ve visited Mae Leonard’s barn/studio during Welcome Back events, you’ll surely recall her delightful paintings and amazing wire sculptures including a life-size owl and a nest featuring a mother bird feeding her chicks-all made by Mae’s hands using wire materials. To see more of her work, give her a call at 519-879-6622 for an appointment.
Patricia van Diepen from Plaid Shirt Farms located at 225604 Otterville Road will be open on Novembers: the 8th, 22nd and the 29th from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m., plus she’ll be at Horton Christmas Market on November15 located at10 Manitoba Street (just half a block north of Talbot Street) in St. Thomas.
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From December4to7 Patricia will take part in the44th London Christmas Craft Festival held at Western Fair District J-AAR Expo Centre (formerly Agriplex). Check plaidshirtfarms. comfor times regarding this event! To schedule an appointment call519-719-9458or shop online via plaidshirtfarms. com/shopwhere shipping across Ontario is available! All kinds of preserves along with juicesand drinks can be found there. Frozen berries can onlybe picked up by appointment since we can’t ship frozen products. To follow along with what’s happeningat Plaid Shirt Farms find uson Facebookatwww. facebook. com/Plaid Shirt Farmsand Instagramatwww. instagram. com/plaidshirtfarms/
Shirley Hokke specializesin mixed media alongwith watercoloursand oil paintings. Her Otterview Art Studiolocatedat107 Mill Street Westin Ottervillewillbe openfrom10a. m. to5 p. m. on Saturday November22. For unique Christmasgiftsor ifyou’d likeart lessons, getintouchwith Shirleyviawww. shirleyhokke. ca.
Shirleywillalsohaveherworkexhibitedat Oxford Createslocatedin Southgate Centrein Woodstockon November15and16so make sureto exploreherjoyful pieces. Inaddition, she’ll holdasolo showatthe second floorof Annandale House National Historic Sitein Tillsonburg(completewithelevator access)runningfrom October6to November6offeringadeeperlookatherrecentwork. Anytime throughoutthe year, reach Shirleybytextat226-993-0756.
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