It’s the 40th year for the Winter Studio Tour on Bainbridge Island, so it’s going to be a big one Dec. 1-3.
With 48 juried artists at five venues, this art event offers hand-crafted art where you can meet the artists and buy directly from them.
This free, self-guided tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and you will find a variety of art mediums, such as metalwork, jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber, mixed media, photography, garden art and glass.
The artists incorporate new methods, styles and raw materials, including: recycled wool slippers, sea glass art, detailed paper cut designs, felted wearables, tall metal water fountains, Washi tape art, repurposed metal yard art and steam-bent wood.
The Studio Tour website includes a Featured Artist page with interviews, videos and behind-the-scenes photos of the artists at work in their studios. It’s a great way to hear what the artists are thinking, and what inspires them. Each week a new artist is featured, and the archives have past interviews and videos.
There are many new artists this year, including Dawn Weaver, with wood cutting boards that incorporate bright resin “rivers” in the middle. Inspired by her grandfather’s woodworking, she enjoys bringing out the unique character in each item. Look for charcuterie boards and small tables using live edge slabs and a variety of hardwoods, all sustainable and sourced from the area.
Another new artist is clothing designer Elizabeth Garver. She makes finely crafted wearables with distinctive styles, using textured silks, wool and cotton. With a Master of Fine Arts degree in textiles, her work is featured in books and boutiques nationwide.
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Studio Tour manager Dinah Satterwhite said that quite a few artists are new. “It’s always so interesting to have such talented artists come out of the woodwork, so to speak…I can’t wait to see the smiling faces as our customers meet the new artists, along with their favorites from previous years.”
Some of the long-term artists include: Darcy Thompson, with mosaic jewelry and garden art; Richard Ashton, with asymmetrical semi-precious jewelry; Dorothy Skea, with high fashion pieced wearables; Rita Belserene, with functional pottery; Hollie Clark, with fleece clothing and accessories; Paula Gill, with tile jewelry and block prints; and Danna Watson, with mixed media fairies, creatures and upcycled fabric aprons.
Five studios and community halls are participating, including Elemental Furnishings’ studio owned by wood/paper/metal artists Kathryn LaFond and George Brooks, along with the Filipino-American Hall, the Masonic Center, the American Legion Hall and the Grange Hall. Each location has five to 14 artists.
There will be a gift basket raffle at each studio. For details go to www.bistudiotour.com.
Upcycled wool slippers made by Victoria Julien-Gray.