The Tour's First Scofflaw.

Lou Abbott’s 4th of July party in ‘92, Al Tyrell with Joan McDonald. Photo courtesy of Kiva Duckworth-Moulton

Who should be allowed on the Dixon Studio Tour, based on where they live, their professionalism as an artist, and whether they paid their fees and did their job has frequently been the subject of passionate debate at annual meetings. People selling stuff who are not part of the tour and roadside vendors can be the subject of much hand-ringing. Artist's showing other's work who didn't qualify have been sanctioned.

But the first year rules were not codified, so Jeannie Cornelius invited Al Tyrrell to show at her stop even though he hadn't signed up or done a job. Karma caught up with Al; he didn't sell a thing that year. Though he was the tour's first scofflaw, he has since made up for it. Al has headed or been part of the sign committee ever since. He even stored the signs at his house for a few decades. And his sales improved dramatically.

Al Tyrell with Holly Haas. Photo courtesy of Kiva Duckworth-Moulton

Al said, “My cookies made me famous.” Fresh chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven bring customers back every year, though his finely thrown pots also have something to do with it. One year, Al bought a new stove before the tour and the oven wouldn't light. He'd even hired a helper just to bake the cookies. He put his kiln on low, baked the cookies, and they were fabulous.

Another time a woman backed into an outdoor display breaking all of the pots. They were seconds, so Al told her not to worry about it. She became one of his best customers. Another time some guy got stuck in his driveway and nobody could get out for quite a while.

Al performing with the Dixon Marching band. Photo courtesy of Steve Jenison

For 15 years Al's sister Claire came to help bake cookies, and in the old days, Al's mom could be seen following people around pressuring them to buy something. The tour has been good to its reformed scofflaw.  

—Shel Neymark