COLRAIN — Hiding within the rural landscape of Colrain are 19 different artists and artisans across 16 home studios and makeshift workshops who will come together to share their work with the public as part of the 22nd annual Crafts of Colrain studio tour.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, creators who specialize in a variety of crafts, from calligraphy and fiber arts to pottery and woodworking, welcome visitors to view and purchase their pieces in an event that provides exposure for the town’s craftspeople.
“It’s allowed people who had what were just hobbies to become part-time businesses,” said Al Ladd, an organizer and participating woodworker who has been involved since Crafts of Colrain was first held in 2003.
For many of the participating artists and artisans, Crafts of Colrain is their primary opportunity to engage with their customer base.
“This event is about connection,” Helen Olson, a jeweler working primarily with gemstones, said in a statement. “Visitors get to meet the makers, step inside their studios and see where their work comes to life. It’s personal, authentic and uniquely Colrain.”
The annual crafts event helps bring together a community with a variety of talents.
“One of the many things that I really love about this area and living in this area,” said Gabriella della Croce, a participating artist who specializes in ceramics, “is there’s a real history and continued insistence on people making things with their own hands, people doing things the way that they have been traditionally done.”
In a world where some creative specialties have faded in popularity, Crafts of Colrain is a time to appreciate traditional crafts and discuss them with the people who are keeping those traditions alive.
“There’s probably never been a better time for Crafts of Colrain than 2025,” Ladd said. “When times are hard and people feel like the world is a dark place in many ways, a local event like this is a beacon of light.”
For more information about Crafts of Colrain, visit CraftsofColrain.com. The website includes a list of participating artists and their specialties, as well as a map showing the locations of the studios.
