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A group of artists and craftspeople accustomed to working alone have collaborated on a project guaranteed to amuse, delight and stir up some heavy bidding to benefit their community.

The artists who comprise the Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour, being held this year on November 8-9, have planned a surprise offering for Colrain's annual auction. What began as a practical discussion about comfort stations at the Brick Meetinghouse, the central point of the tour, turned into a high-spirited brainstorm that has culminated in the creation of three versions of that relic of long-ago rural life-the outhouse, the backhouse, the privy.

As a result, these Colrain artists have designed, built and decorated three "privies." Although all are designed as two-holers, they are built to function as a small garden shed, a school bus stop shelter, a meditation room or a delightful focal point to a yard or garden. Each one showcases the building and decorative skills of a number of artists. You'll see their painting, lettering, weaving and metalwork, creative use of found objects and just plain imagination. They are now on display at Strawberryfields Antiques on Route 2 in Shelburne, Massachusetts, at the corner of Colrain-Shelburne Road.

The Crafts of Colrain Studio Tour, held annually, is when these artists open their studios to connoisseurs and adventurers seeking fine and unique handmade craft in the hills of Colrain. The outhouses will be moved to the Brick Meetinghouse in the center of Colrain and displayed with open doors to show the interiors.

Crafts of Colrain announces these new additions to the tour: Jo-Anne Sherburne, fine art and portraiture; Adam Grandin, custom leather goods and photography, Laurel Thorndike, painting and photography, Denese Gurley, knitting, and Joe Kurland will show his photography for the first time on the tour. In the fourteen stops on this tour you'll see the work of over twenty artists and craftspeople.

Anyone on the tour may enter a drawing at each of the studios to win one of two gift baskets containing original works donated by participants. The baskets will be displayed in banks and businesses in Franklin County prior to the weekend, and can all be viewed at the Brick Meetinghouse on the days of the tour.

The map will lead visitors over the scenic roads of the Colrain hills to unique studios, workshops, exhibit spaces and farms. Children are welcome and will enjoying seeing the animals at some stops. You may start your tour at the meetinghouse, or any studio on the tour; maps and information about places to eat will be at each location. The map, directions to Colrain, locations of B&Bs and restaurants, and links to the individual artists' websites are on www.craftsofcolrain.com. Call 413-624-3204 to be mailed a brochure.

The "Arthouses" will be auctioned at the Colrain Home for the Holidays Auction on Nov. 29. Bids may be printed from www.craftsofcolrain.com and sent to Morrell Metalsmiths, 207 Greenfield Rd, Colrain MA 01340. Proxy bidding is offered for those unable to be at the auction. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Colrain organizations including the Griswold Library, the Pitt House (our local museum) and the Colrain Business Association to support its scholarships and small grants. The corporate sponsor for the event is The Bank of Western Massachusetts.