The Prairie Ripples Art Tour begins this morning at 10:00 a.m. and continues tomorrow in Portage. Lee Beaton is one of the artists highlighted in the tour and outlines its history.

Lee Beaton"This is the ninth year for the Prairie Ripples Art Tour. I wasn't part of it nine years ago. I'm thinking that they were probably hoping it would last this long. It is modeled after the Wave Tour, because one of our members is part of the Wave Tour. She really liked that idea and brought that to Portage."

She says a new artist is also involved.

"We have ten artists that are participating in the tour this year at nine different locations. We have a new artist, Olivia Leader, and a lot of new stuff that people have been working on."

Beaton adds, "At each location people can fill out a ballot. And that's good for a gift certificate that they can use at our fall sale in October. And for people to actually purchase some local art and see it created right there."

Jeff Morris has been involved for five years, and says the tour offers an enjoyable experience for the artists as well.

"I enjoy doing demos for people. So, multiple times in a day when there's enough people, then I'll either paint a t-shirt, or I'll paint a piece of pottery."

He says it offers insight to buyers.

"I just like showing people what I've been up to. People usually see the finished work but not how it's created, or the amount of time that it takes to create a piece."