Down a Penryn dirt road people don’t necessarily take, walking amid Steve Harrington’s sculptures, people were chuckling, pointing, smiling and even guffawing throughout the weekend.

For Harrington, whose metal collage, found-object sculptures covered much of the grounds near his home, the experience was a welcome one – a gut check on what people take away from his art.

It’s meant to be whimsical, and the whimsy was flowing throughout the three-day Autumn Art Studios Tour in Placer County. More than 70 artists from Roseville to Colfax took part.

Harrington couldn’t help smile at one group of women he remembered from last year who returned again. But they weren’t necessarily there to buy, he said.

“I know they came to laugh,’ Harrington said. “I’m getting a psychic reward for opening my doors and having people. When my work is in a gallery, I don’t get that energy. All I get is a paycheck.”

Whether it was a dose of humor, a Christmas present, inspiration for their own artistic aspirations or just a chance for a Sunday drive in the fall colors, hundreds of people spread out throughout the South and Mid County to discover some of the best art and artists the area has to offer.

The tour took place Friday through Sunday. On Sunday, the Arts Building in Downtown Auburn was seeing a steady stream of event-goers.

“I’d rather go here than Sacramento,” said Rocklin’s Wes Schultz. “Placer County and their art is wonderful.”

The love was being shared between artists and the public at the 16th annual tour.

“I love it because I’m able to directly share the processes and motivations that inspired my art,” said Cathy Cline, an Arts Building artist in residence. “I’ve seen eyes light up as people understand more what is done to create quality artwork.”

Watercolor artist Kathleen Ryan has been at the Newcastle packing sheds studios for two years and, this year, the location was made a new destination on the tour. It was a revelation to Ryan, not only because of the number of ex-fruit shed workers who visited and were more than willing to share their stories with.

“It was also compelling to find out how many people didn’t know we we’re here,” Ryan said.