The Paper Trail

Eight years ago, a handful of well-respected artists in the Cookeville area banded together to promote the local arts scene through a two-day public studio tour called the Art Prowl.

Participating artists opened their studios to visitors who could see where the work is made, how it's made and purchase work directly from the artist.

Fast forward to 2008, and you get a greatly expanded version of the open studio tour, with more that 20 area artist taking part. This year's Prowl, which celebrates the thriving local arts environment is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, November 7-8th, in the WestSide district of Cookeville, as well as locations near the Courthouse Square.

Art Prowl 2008 participants include fibers artists Breanna Rockstad-Kincaid and Adele Seitzinger; glass artist Mike Ulschak;illustrator Wayne Hogan; multi-media artists Vickie Arp, Merritt Ireland, Bill Robison, and Stan Rodriguez; painters Cephas Ablakwa, Sarah Sullivan Arp, Kate Badoe, Sandi Bos, Isabel Cohen, Arlene Dubo, Angelo Fernandez and Paul Miktarian; photographer Joel Holmes; potters and clay artists Laura Clemons, Louis and Christine Colombarini, Jay Frankenfield, Marilee Hall and Debi Wichman; scrimshaw artist Kris Ballinger; and wood sculptor Brad Sells.

This year's artists are currently looking for sponsors, as well as hos galleries and new spaces to exhibit work during Prowl 2008. If you're an art patron or a business located between the WestSide district and Courthouse Square, and you're interested in taking part in this year's event, call Prowl Chairperson Marilee Hall at 931-526-6649 for more information.

Sponsoring galleries to date are The Magical Muse and West Textures Framing & Fine Art, both located in the WestSide district.

Learn more about participating artists and Prowls past and present at www.artprowl.com. Art Prowl is an affiliated activity of the non-profit group Art 'Round Tennessee.