Although the Northeast Georgia 2012 Arts Tour gives folks a road map for enjoying creative pursuits all year, this weekend’s Summer Saturday Art Amble adds something extra.

Ordinarily, the self-guided and decided excursion takes participants on a tour of art galleries, museums and other destinations in Habersham, Rabun, White and Towns counties.

Saturday’s amble from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will include unique opportunities to mingle with artists at many of the stops.

For instance, artist and author Ivy Rutzky will set up shop from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at The Gourd Place, 2319 Duncan Bridge Road in Sautee. Rutzky will be signing copies of her book of photo-poems, “This Fleeting Moment.”

The book was partly inspired by her rustic surroundings and her experiences in a poetry workshop.

“This book grew into a journal — in poetry and photographs — of my new life,” said Rutzky, who relocated from New York to Sautee Nacoochee in 2009.

“I’d moved here to heaven and I didn’t have to die to get here.”

During Saturday’s amble, Rutzky will also be selling limited edition word-photo prints.

“When I was looking at my photos, some of them made me smile,” she said.

“I thought teens and children would like these pictures of furry, fuzzy, buzzy croaking animals.”

The amble will include painters, potters, wood-turners, jewelry makers and a variety of other artisans. The goal of the tour and amble is to challenge visitors’ definitions of “day trips.”

To get a map of participating locations — including dining and lodging options — visit www.ArtsTour.org.

Since the amble and tour are self-guided, you can begin and end wherever you choose.

There are stops in places like Helen, Clarkesville, Rabun Gap and Hiawassee.