Fall in Galena brings colorful hillsides, crisp days, and plenty of reasons to explore the countryside. This October, one of the area’s most creative traditions adds another reason to plan a getaway: the 2026 Twenty Dirty Hands Pottery Tour.

Celebrating its 25th tour year, Twenty Dirty Hands takes place October 16-18 at studios and locations throughout the Tri-State area. This free, self-guided tour offers a chance to meet talented ceramic artists, see where they work, learn more about their craft, and shop for one-of-a-kind pottery directly from the makers.

For guests at Hawk Valley Retreat, the tour is a natural addition to an autumn escape. Spend the day visiting studios and enjoying the fall scenery, then return to the peaceful surroundings of our adult-only bed and breakfast.

Explore the Twenty Dirty Hands Pottery Tour 2026

Twenty Dirty Hands began in the Galena area and has grown into a regional celebration of ceramic art. The 2026 tour includes 10 stops across northwest Illinois, southwest Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa, including Galena and Elizabeth, Il.

The self-guided tour lets you set your own itinerary and pace. Visit several stops in a single day, or make a weekend of it and explore more of the studios and artists represented throughout the tour.

You’ll find functional and decorative ceramics in a wide variety of styles, from mugs, bowls, and serving pieces to sculptural works. Best of all, you’ll have opportunities to meet the people behind the pottery. Speak with the artists about the inspiration, techniques, and processes that make each work unique.

Meet Galena’s Pottery Community

Several artists with deep ties to Galena’s creative community participate in Twenty Dirty Hands.

At Galena Clay Works, artist Kent Henderson creates both functional pottery and sculptural work in Galena’s historic district. Stephanie O’Shaughnessy, a founding member of Twenty Dirty Hands, is another longtime member of the local ceramics community.

The tour also welcomes newer voices. Rocky Hill Arts in Galena is participating for the first time in 2026, hosting ceramic artists Miki Shim, Simon Levin, Delores Fortuna, and Cory McCrory.

These are just a few of the artists and locations visitors can discover along the way. Part of the fun is choosing your route and seeing the different possibilities of clay in the hands of different makers.

Enjoy a Fall Drive Through the Tri-State Area

Twenty Dirty Hands is as much about the journey as the individual stops. Tour locations extend beyond Galena to Elizabeth, Illinois; Hazel Green, Wisconsin; and communities across the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa.

The tour is an excellent excuse for a fall drive through the rolling hills of the Driftless Area. Rather than rushing to every location, choose the studios that interest you most. This leaves time to enjoy the scenery, lunch, or the small towns along your route.

The tour runs from 10am to 6pm, October 16th and 17th, and from 10am to 4pm, October 18th, 2026.

Make Hawk Valley Retreat Your Fall Home Base

After a day of meeting handmade pottery artists and exploring the countryside, return to the quiet beauty of Hawk Valley Retreat.

Our peaceful country setting offers a relaxing contrast to a full day of sightseeing. Explore the property, settle into your private cottage, or simply enjoy a quiet autumn evening.

October is a beautiful time to experience northwest Illinois. Twenty Dirty Hands Pottery Tour 2026 offers a uniquely local way to discover the creativity of the region. Plan your stay at Hawk Valley Retreat and make a weekend of art and autumn scenery in Galena.