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  • 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!

Even during our Open Studio events, hours of operation may differ between the various destinations. Head over to our Events page for a complete schedule of any official tour event. Each venue’s regular operating hours are listed on their individual page.

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

We are a community of artists, craftspeople and galleries who celebrate creativity and each other’s talents, in the Foothills of Southern Alberta.

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)
Instagram post 17949494695875897 Instagram post 17949494695875897
Here's a peek at what Tour member Mady Thiel-Kopst Here's a peek at what Tour member Mady Thiel-Kopstein @madytkop has been up to lately -a series of glitter loving ravens! The Grand Dame Of It All 20x24", and She's All That 20x24".
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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
A very warm welcome to the newest member of the MB A very warm welcome to the newest member of the MBATA family -James Greisinger of Stone Wood & Steel!

James is the lead Blacksmith for the family-run blacksmith studio situated on an organic garlic farm near Kananaskis Country. 
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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 @stonewoodandsteel
#Repost @leightonartcentre ・・・ Matthew O'Rei #Repost @leightonartcentre
・・・
Matthew O'Reilly's 'Piles of Barbarism' and Veronica Funk's 'The Grandmothers' end April 2nd!

Take in these thought-provoking exhibitions in our gallery: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm.

Both artists will be in attendance in the gallery between 2 and 4 pm on April 2nd!

#culture#artgallery#calgary#yyc#calgaryarts#yycarts#yycartists#albertaart#creativeeconomy#artgalleries#lovealberta#canadianart#yycevents#artexhibition#galleryexhibition#foothills31#coollittletowns#foothillstourism#mostbeautifularttourinalberta #explorefoothills
#Repost @linehamhousegalleries … Two more beauti #Repost @linehamhousegalleries …
Two more beautiful medium and large scale pieces just in by the wonderfully vivacious @alisonphilpotts ! 

Alison’s beautiful spirit is always inherent in her vibrant paintings - these are sure to magically transform any space. 

Day at the Lake (Detail) 
Alison Philpotts 
36 x 48 
Acrylic 

2600.oo 

Peaceful Moraine (Detail)
Alison Philpotts
24 x 48
Acrylic 

1900.oo

MARCH HOURS

TUES - 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 #artfulliving #oneofakind #supportlocalartists #smallbusiness #okotoksartists #calgarygallery #calgaryarts #yycartsandculture #giftcertificates #artfullivingandgiving #eileenmurrayart 

@okotoks_elma_street @elmastreet.okotoks @thinkokotoks @explorefoothills @mbat_ab @albertapotterypantry
😮These gorgeous collages are the work of Susan 😮These gorgeous collages are the work of Susan Kristoferson of Kristoferson Studios in Turner Valley. The collage papers are hand painted to be able to depict the unique characteristics of the amazing landscape views where Susan lives and works.

#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 @okotoks_culture
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