The Carson Valley Arts Council is preparing for a weekend of arts and music in October 2026, presenting its 6th Annual Carson Valley Art Studio Tour and launching its 2026-27 concert season. The community of Carson Valley, Nevada, will host the free studio tour on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, while the inaugural concert featuring Big Sandy and Fly-Rite Boys will take place on Friday, October 9.
The 6th Annual Carson Valley Art Studio Tour, sponsored by the Arts Council, invites the public to a drive-yourself experience across 15 studios. A total of 24 artists will participate, showcasing their work, demonstrating their creative processes, and offering pieces for sale. The tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 11. Several studios will feature more than one artist, allowing visitors a broad view of the local art scene.
Artists participating in the 2026 tour represent a diverse range of mediums. Teri Sweeney will display western oil and watercolors, while Mya Crawford will present jewelry. Lee Lewis specializes in silk painting, watercolor, and embroidered appliqué. Oils will be featured by Mary Gmuender and Leah Andrew, with Alanna McDaniel contributing acrylic painting. Pietro Accardi offers marbled paper and fabric, and P.K. Klein will exhibit paintings, silver jewelry, and beaded jewelry. Roger Kinnaman’s work includes pastels, oils, sculpture, and watercolor, alongside Anne Michell’s multi-media creations. Watercolor painting will also be shown by Melanie Walters, Tina Forkner, and Mark Tompkins, with Linda Baxter presenting acrylic painting and Linda Townsend focusing on watercolor. Photographers include Constance Peters and Laurie Ricardi, who also creates jewelry. Pottery will be featured by Michelle Mulligan and Rosemarie Littleton. Irene Taylor will present batik, watercolor, and oil landscapes, while Cyndy Kelso works in acrylic, gouache, watercolor, and ceramics. Suzy Musil specializes in bead embroidered jewelry, and the Monday Watercolor Collective will also be part of the tour. Mark Harris will exhibit oil and watercolor paintings, and Kristy Dial will showcase painted gourds. All artists and their work are detailed on the Studio Tour website.
Printed and online studio maps for the tour will be available in late September. These can be obtained at the Carson Valley Arts Council office, located at 1572 U.S. Highway 395 N # A in Minden, Nevada, and at various local galleries. In September, the Tour website CVASTour.org will also provide an interactive online map and a downloadable PDF file. This online resource will include information about the studios and galleries, examples of the artists' work, and background details for each participant. The website will additionally feature a schedule of special demonstrations and music. Visitors to the studios will be eligible to win free art, with increased chances to win for those who visit more locations. The Carson Valley Arts Council extended special thanks to the galleries and sponsors of the 2026 Tour.
In addition to the art tour, the Carson Valley Arts Council is sponsoring the first concert of its new 2026-27 season on Friday, October 9. This event will feature Big Sandy and Fly-Rite Boys, an act described as "one of the world’s most beloved Americana/Roots acts." The group draws from musical traditions that underlie rock and roll, with influences spanning country, doo-wop, and rhythm and blues.
Tickets for the concert are priced at $27 in advance and $30 at the door. They can be purchased through the Carson Valley Arts Council website or directly at their office, located at 1572 U.S. Highway 395 N # A, Minden, Nevada 89423. Inquiries can also be made by calling (775) 782-8207. Further details regarding the remainder of the concert series for the 2026-27 season are available on the Carson Valley Arts Council website.
The Carson Valley is preparing to host this fall getaway weekend of music and art amidst the region's fall colors.