Art, nature unfolded in Alpine studio tour

As in the past three years, art and nature lovers from the Valley and beyond will drive to Markleeville to witness changing of the leaves in both local art studios and in the surrounding countryside.

Changing of the Leaves is the name of the fourth annual Markleeville Artists Autumn Open Studios tour, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7-8.

The crisp feeling of fall is in the air and the aspens are on the verge of changing into their festive autumn dress of brilliant golds and vibrant oranges. More than a dozen Markleeville artists are preparing to celebrate the "Changing of the Leaves" by opening their studios to the public.

This event will feature the studios of Linda Stallcup, Sandy Baenan, Jeff Brees, Jan Brees, Peter Chope, Todd Brandscombe, Susan Flakus, Gina Gigli, Kaye Jobst, Charles Muench, Mark and Carolyn Vaughn, Jennifer Vaughn, Debra Esteban, Deidre Wallace and Tanya Berger, Evelyn Yonker and Dale Bennett.

The celebration of art and the welcome to fall in Alpine County is sponsored, in part, by Villa Gigli, Sunrise Construction, Yonker Construction, Wolf Creek Restaurant, Markleeville General Store, The Deli and Hope Valley Outdoors.

A free map of the tour will be available at the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce, the first building on the right as you come into town on Highway 89 from Carson Valley and Woodfords. The map is a helpful guide, for those making the tour, to all the different stops along the way as well as a small introduction to help acquaint the visitors to each artist on the tour.

For more information on this event visit the Web site www.charlesmuench.com or by calling Villa Gigli, (530) 694-2253.