THORNBURY -- "Wow! Is that an antique? Does it really work?" are comments Thornbury photographer, Cory Stickley often hears as she sets up her large wooden camera, preparing to photograph.

Stepping into her darkroom is to travel back to a time when all negatives were "souped" in trays of chemicals in total darkness, then printed under the eerie glow of orange light. Each image is a unique piece of art made with century old technology.

"Ten years ago," Stickley says, "I chose to begin working just with black and white film because I loved that the photographs had such an abstract quality.

"With a large format camera, I discovered the incredible detail and range of tones that it was possible to capture on an 8 x 10 inch sheet of film and I was hooked."

Stickley's darkroom, where vision, craft and technique together create a work of art is just one of 14 studios open this Victoria Day weekend for the Blue Mountain Tour of the Arts.

This free, self-guided tour provides an opportunity to see painters, glass blowers and fusers, sculptors, metal and textile artists, jewelers and photographers at work in their home studios and galleries throughout Thornbury, Clarksburg, Kimberley and Craigleith.

At several sites there will also be guest artists from the surrounding areas.

Now in its 17th year, this tour has become a starting point for locals to discover the rich art heritage in this area. It's also a chance for them to develop ongoing relationships with makers who can introduce hand-made objects into their daily lives.

For visitors to the Blue Mountain area, the studio tour provides a perfect introduction to new and old art techniques.

"As an artist, it is my goal to create work that speaks clearly to my personal vision," says Tanya Zaryski, owner of Beaver Valley Glass Works and one of the studios on the tour. "When people respond to an artist's work with their own intuitive responses and talk with the artist, the art takes on an enhanced emotional connection.

"That will continue to grow and personal value to the art as it becomes part of someone's personal space."

Locations of the studios that will be open Saturday through Monday, May 19 to 21, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. are posted at www.tourofthearts.ca.You can also pick up maps at various Georgian Triangle Tourist information booths and local merchants or by calling 519-599-3999.