logologologo
  • GALLERIES & STUDIOS
    • Bluerock Gallery
    • Firebrand Glass Studio
    • Kristoferson Studio
    • Leighton Art Centre
    • Lineham House Galleries
    • Mady Thiel-Kopstein
    • Okotoks Art Gallery
    • Stone Wood and Steel
  • ROUTE MAP
  • SCHEDULES
  • EXPLORE
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
  • GALLERIES & STUDIOS
    • Bluerock Gallery
    • Firebrand Glass Studio
    • Kristoferson Studio
    • Leighton Art Centre
    • Lineham House Galleries
    • Mady Thiel-Kopstein
    • Okotoks Art Gallery
    • Stone Wood and Steel
  • ROUTE MAP
  • SCHEDULES
  • EXPLORE
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
Next All-Access Event: September 16 & 17, 2022

Find Art & Adventure in
Alberta's Foothills

In the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, dotted along Highway 22 (the Cowboy Trail) and Highway 2A, there is a community of artists, craftspeople and galleries who celebrate creativity and supporting each other’s talents. You are invited to join in and come for a tour of these galleries and private studios located in the stunningly beautiful foothills of southern Alberta!

Twice a year we organize all-access events, allowing you easy opportunities to visit the private studios that usually welcome the public by appointment only. Throughout the year, our galleries also put on a variety of their own special events; watch this website or our Facebook page for dates of all of our venues’ upcoming events.

We are a diverse group of artists and galleries – learn more about each stop on the tour by clicking on its image!

Welcome to Leighton Art Centre

Leighton Art Centre

16 min. Northeast of Millarville
Kristoferson Studio 'Her View'

Kristoferson Studio

Turner Valley
Mady Thiel-Kopstein, Artist

Mady Thiel-Kopstein

Turner Valley
Bluerock Gallery at Dusk

Bluerock Gallery

Black Diamond
Firebrand Glass Studio

Firebrand Glass Studio

Black Diamond
Lineham House Galleries

Lineham House Galleries

Okotoks

Okotoks Art Gallery

Okotoks
_ZHT8092

Stone Wood and Steel

Millarville

Route & Map

Following this particular route, you’ll be sure to hit every single stop on The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta. But it’s just one possibility… you can start anywhere along the route, go in any direction you choose and try different backroads if you like. Use the route as a guideline and make up your own unforgettable day in the Foothills. After all, you never know what you might see or experience when you take the road less travelled!

During our Open Studio events, all venues are open 10 am – 5 pm. Galleries may be open earlier/later than the official tour hours; please check each gallery’s website for complete hours.

Head over to our Events page for a complete schedule of any official tour event.

Looking for dining or accommodation options in the area? Visit the resources listed on our Explore page.

Want to take a printed map along with you? Print a copy of The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta brochure.

Follow Our Adventures

And let us follow yours, too!

Here’s a taste of what we’ve been up to lately, but we’d also love to see the photos from your adventures along our tour route (and our part of the world in general!). Tag the pics you share with the hashtag #mostbeautifulAB – and you just might see them shared on our feeds.

mbat_ab

There's another Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta There's another Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta event coming soon! Mark your calendars for September 16 and 17, and start planning your route -link in our bio!
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*photo credit: Amanda MacKay* #Okotoks#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#calgaryartist#calgaryart#alberta#okotoksart#yycarts#yycartists#okotoksartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#loveokotoks#lovealberta#canadianart#okotoksbusiness#okotoksliving#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism#okotoksevents#mostbeautifularttourinalberta @bluerockgallery @linehamhousegalleries @leightonartcentre @firebrand_glass_studio @susan_kristudio @madytkop @townofokotoks @stonewoodandsteel
#Repost @okotoks_culture … There are so many gem #Repost @okotoks_culture …
There are so many gems to be found at our Member Show & Sale at the Okotoks Art Gallery! We’re open Monday - Saturday, 10-5!
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 #Okotoks#townofokotoks#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#calgaryartist#calgaryart#alberta#okotoksart#yycarts#yycartists#okotoksartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#loveokotoks#lovealberta#canadianart#okotoksbusiness#okotoksliving#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism
Here's some AMAZING new work from Tour member Mady Here's some AMAZING new work from Tour member Mady Thiel-Kopstein @madytkop "She's Always Questioning Her Questioning Mind," "So Many Reasons to Love the High Alpine," and "Waiting For It." 
Mady has been having a very productive year with commissions, travel, and now has seven new paintings over @bluerockgallery in Black Diamond! And of course, getting ready for the next Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta event coming up in September!
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 #Okotoks#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#calgaryartist#calgaryart#alberta#okotoksart#yycarts#yycartists#okotoksartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#loveokotoks#lovealberta#canadianart#okotoksbusiness#okotoksliving#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism#okotoksevents#mostbeautifularttourinalberta @bluerockgallery @linehamhousegalleries @leightonartcentre @firebrand_glass_studio @susan_kristudio @madytkop @townofokotoks @stonewoodandsteel
#Repost @leightonartcentre … The weather's so be #Repost @leightonartcentre …
The weather's so beautiful, even the art is outdoors! 

Featured pieces by Michelle Austen, Sue Contini, Melanie Figueroa, Melanie Morstad and Lorraine Whellams.

#leightonartcentre #yycarts #abarts #explorefoothills #explorealberta #loveyyc #canadianart #instaart #artgallery #summer
#Repost @forageandfarm … In celebration of Garl #Repost @forageandfarm … 
In celebration of Garlic Scape Season, we will be posting inspirational recipes for those twirly garlic treats.⁠
Now taking orders on our online store.⁠
Pick up from the farm.⁠
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This one comes from @kitchenfairyblog⁠
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When garlic scapes are in season I love to get creative with them. This time around I made a simple garlic scape cream cheese bagel by combining finely chopped garlic scapes with cream cheese then piled the cream cheese on a fresh bagel and added sliced cucumber. So delicious!⁠
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#garlicscapes #vegetarian #garlicscaperecipes #garlicscapelover #cookingwithgarlicscapes #garlic #lunch #bagel #creamcheesebagel #healthylunch #seasonalfood #grownlocally
#repost @firebrand_glass_studio... I am pretty ex #repost @firebrand_glass_studio... 
I am pretty excited to have my new sculpture Pirr included in Oeno Galleries Outdoor Sculpture exhibition. Check out https://www.oenogallery.com/exhibitions/outdoor-sculpture-garden-exhibition-2022/ To find out the details about the opening and the other beautiful artwork. #glasssculpture #abart #yycart #cdnart
This is the last weekend to see Heather Cline's "S This is the last weekend to see Heather Cline's "Shifiting Grid" and Harry Palmer's "A Portrait of Alberta" at the Okotoks Art Gallery. Drop in Friday or Saturday between 10am and 5pm for a last look at these wonderful exhibitions.
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#Okotoks#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#calgaryartist#calgaryart#alberta#okotoksart#yycarts#yycartists#okotoksartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#loveokotoks#lovealberta#canadianart#okotoksbusiness#okotoksliving#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism#okotoksevents#mostbeautifularttourinalberta @bluerockgallery @linehamhousegalleries @leightonartcentre @firebrand_glass_studio @1657barnes @susan_kristudio @madytkop @townofokotoks @okotoks_culture
Those Alberta skies 😍#Repost @bluerockgallery …
‘Look, and look again. This world is not just a little thrill for the eyes.’ ~Mary Oliver 

‘My Bonnie’ by Theresa Williams. 
8 x 16, oil on linen panel, $455.

#albertawhatbigskiesyouhave

@theresawilliamsart

#art #canadianart #oilpainting #landscape #beautiful #albertalandscape #alberta
Tomorrow (Saturday)! Art on the Line on Elma Stree Tomorrow (Saturday)! Art on the Line on Elma Street in Okotoks. Lots of local art, live music, and more!

#Repost @elmastreet.okotoks …
ELMA STREET ARTS WALK welcomes: @jshieldsfineart 
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Please join us next Saturday for a little music, a little art, and a little fun! Co-hosted by @94takethecake and @linehamhousegalleries 
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#art #artisan #handcraft #market #artmarket #yyc #calgary #okotoks #okotoksbusiness #elmastreet #elmastreetartswalk #elmastreetmerchants #elmastreetokotoks
#Repost @leightonartcentre … #TBT to last year's #Repost @leightonartcentre …
#TBT to last year's Clothesline Art Market. This weekend, we're doing it again, but twice as big! 

- June 4 & 5 10am - 4pm
- Admission by donation
- Hundreds of framed & unframed artworks
- Huge selection of fine craft
- Free tours on the hour, 11am - 3pm
- Food trucks, live music, artist demonstrations
- No dogs, please.

Come help us celebrate the 35th year of Clothesline at Leighton Art Centre!

@travelalberta 
@explorefoothills 
@mbat_ab 
@calgaryartsdev 
@tourismcalgary
🎨Art Sale! Tomorrow (Saturday, May 28) at the O 🎨Art Sale! Tomorrow (Saturday, May 28) at the Okotoks Art Gallery, shop local art at the first Art on the Lawn outdoor art sale of the season! 10am to 4pm 🎉
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#Okotoks#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#calgaryartist#calgaryart#alberta#okotoksart#yycarts#yycartists#okotoksartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#loveokotoks#lovealberta#canadianart#okotoksbusiness#okotoksliving#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism#okotoksevents#mostbeautifularttourinalberta @bluerockgallery @linehamhousegalleries @leightonartcentre @firebrand_glass_studio @1657barnes @susan_kristudio @madytkop @townofokotoks @okotoks_culture
#Repost @bluerockgallery… Just for you: a luscio #Repost @bluerockgallery…
Just for you: a luscious little bit of impressionism blooming in the garden!

‘Mixing it Up’ by Maryanne Jespersen. 12 x 12, oil on canvas, $550.

#bloominglovely

@maryannejespersen

#light #mood #art #canadianart #oilpainting #fineart #impressionism
#Repost @linehamhousegalleries … Gorgeous new pa #Repost @linehamhousegalleries …
Gorgeous new paintings now in by the lovely Southern Alberta Artist Janet B. Armstrong (Calgary AB). 

Three Spring thaw pieces full of colour, movement and texture and a stunning capture of a favourite hike of ours here at Lineham House in Rawson Lake, Kananaskis Country. 

The fresh green in Rawson Lake surrounds us at this time of year and is a welcome colour of hope after a long winter. Join us here for a visual celebration of the end of another Alberta winter! 

See our FB page for full images of work. 

Rawson Lake (Detail only) 
Janet Armstrong
Oil
40x30

$2150.00

Slice of Heaven (Detail only) 
Janet Armstrong
Oil
24x30

$1495.00

MAY HOURS 

TUES 2 - 7 (NEW!)
WED - THURS 12 - 5 
FRI 12 - 9*
SAT 11 - 5

*Open to 9:00 PM FRIDAYS for Late Nite Shopping

Or anytime by appointment at your convenience. 

#albertapottery #linehamhousegalleries #mcleodtrailkitchen #albertapotterypantry
#everydaygrateful #albertaartist #albertaartisan #originalartalberta #albertaartgallery #okotoksartgallery #okotoksarts #okotoksevents #heritagehouse #elmastreetokotoks #okotoksbusiness #albertapottery 
#okotoksliving #okotoksshopping #livingandgiving #albertaarts #albertaartgallery

@okotoks_elma_street @elmastreet.okotoks @thinkokotoks @mbat_ab @explorefoothills
#Repost @leightonartcentre … A few of our volunt #Repost @leightonartcentre …
A few of our volunteers have had to cancel their casino shifts for this weekend due to illness. Each shift raises approximately $2000 for Art & Nature programming at Leighton Art Centre. 

Can you help? Please email Lindsay (lindsayc@leightoncentre.org).

We also want to thank our volunteers for staying home when sick and helping keep our community safe. Feel better soon!

#yycvolunteers #volunteersdomore
#Repost @bluerockgallery … We are pleased to rel #Repost @bluerockgallery …
We are pleased to release another chapter in the 'Artists of Bluerock Gallery' project.
Bayot Heer is a jeweller who creates beautifully simple and timeless pieces. You would recognize his work in the gallery by the creative, yet uncomplicated uses of gemstones and semi-precious metals. To learn more about this phenomenal artist, including his unconventional arrival to this art form, check out our latest blog post! (Link is in the bio)
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