Art lovers and holiday shoppers alike can take a ramble through north Georgia this weekend and beat a path to the door of some of the best artists in the region.

The North Georgia Art Ramble is Saturday and Sunday and features 36 artists, 20 studios and 11 art galleries.

The regional self-guided tour highlights artists in Canton, Woodstock, Roswell, Jasper, Calhoun, Cumming and Cartersville.

The synergy for the event is headquartered in Cherokee County, with two receptions in Woodstock and Canton planned Friday night to kick off the event. Organizers and the majority of studios open for the tour are in the local area.

Clay artists Fred and Laura Ellis of Waleska are heading up the art ramble and have been meeting with local artists for a year to plan what they hope is the first of many North Georgia Art Rambles.

“This started out as an idea when I was president of the Georgia Clay Council and we started discussing the possibility of a studio tour,” Fred Ellis said. “I hoped we could get seven or eight artists, but this has just grown and now we have artists from all over north Georgia.”

Ellis said that almost every type of medium is represented in the ramble, including glass, textiles, stone carving, clay, oils and watercolor.

The event is free and participants can drop into whichever studio they would like to see the art and meet the artist between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“This is a great way for the patrons to get to know the artists,” Ellis said.

The home of watercolor painter Elly Hobgood of Canton will be open with art in every room and refreshments for those who stop by Saturday and Sunday.

Renowed potter Sheryl Holstein’s art will also be featured at Hobgood’s home.

“This is an adventure for those who come out,” Hobgood said. “This is recognition for the creative talent in this area and promotes what the artists are doing.”

Hobgood said that she and other artists had discussed doing a ramble for years, and this year everything lined up to make the dream turn into a reality.

“Fred was having discussions about this and some said that he should take the reins. We have had meetings all year, and now it is a community event,” Hobgood said.

Those artists who cannot host at their homes or studios have art on display at the Cherokee County Arts Center, which will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days this weekend.

For those who want a preview of an artist’s work before heading out on the tour, the Arts Center provides a sample of each artist’s work.

Ellis said that just having so many quality artists participate in a feat in itself.

“We think we have been successful already. That in itself — drawing the art community together — is a great success,” Ellis said.

The Pre-Ramble Reception for the North Georgia Art Ramble is Friday at Studio 101 in Woodstock from 7 to 9 p.m. Studio 101 is located at 101 Emma Lane.

The Pre-Ramble Party is Friday night at the Cherokee Arts Center in Canton from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Arts Center is located at 94 North Street.

For more information, about the Art Ramble go to ngaartramble.com.