Sixteen artists joined in the first Salida Studio Tour August 28-29.  Works ranged from jewelry to pottery to painted fabrics to handmade papers.  Then there were felted mobiles, prints and pastels.  What a variety.  This week I heard one new resident describe Salida as "an emerging art scene."  There is an abundance of quality art in the valley and this well-organized event showed it. It was fun to see residents and out of towners with colorful maps in hand searching for the balloons and sign showing the next studio tour.  One highly accomplished craftsman talked about how his first studio tour in Boulder changed his life.  He didn't realize that people could actually make a living that way!  He quickly transitioned from designing plastic molding to his current career as a top jewelry maker.  As an aspiring watercolorist, I hope this is an annual event.  Leslie Walker, Broker/Owner, Salida Realty