ONE SWEET DEAL

Any time you get to spend with your mother is its own reward, of course. But suppose you and Mom got to spend Mother's Day Weekend visiting the homes, studios, and garden of a dozen local artists? And what if there was chocolate involved?

Welcome to the 5th Annual Art & Chocolate studio tour going on this weekend in beautiful midtown Live Oak. Twelve artists working in a variety of media will participate in the event: painters Richard Bennett, Maggie Renner-Hellman, Amy Stark and Paul Rodrigues, mixed-media artist James Aschbacher (aka Art Boy), Lou Renner, and Janet Ferraro, abstract painter Daniel S. Friedman, ceramic sculptors Geoffrey Nicastro and Carole DePalma, stone sculptor Mike McClellan, and woodworker Ron Day.

And in honor of Mom (and to keep your energy from flagging), each studio will be offering chocolate to visiting art lovers throughout the weekend. Hours are 11am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday May 12 & 13). Click here to download a map, or a color brochure, or visit the websites of participating artists. Admission is free!

So make a date with your mom, step-mom, surrogate mom, mother-in-law, kids, partner, or the loved one of your choice and plan to make a day of it. I'll be baking, and hope to see you there!

(Above: Gardening as the World Goes By, by James Aschbacher.)