Story by Sherrye Wyatt
Do-it-yourself decorators who’ve struggled with paint colors or pondered over skylights understand why people hire designers to pull rooms together. But that can be expensive. How about spending $10 for one of the most unique home tours in the Pacific Northwest? Not just anywhere, but on Whidbey Island. And not just any homes, but professional artists’ homes, the quintessential dream team of designers.
Ninety-two artists open their studio doors for the 13th Annual Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, September 26-27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The self-guided event allows guests an opportunity to peek into an artist’s personal space. In many cases the studios are in the artists’ homes.
Guests may meet woodworking artist Gary Leake, whose techniques and tools were employed during the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, many patiently passed down to him by his master cabinetmaker grandfather. Or fabric artist Mary Burks, who creatively stretches the typical use of fibers as she experiments with new textiles and yarns, creating unique cloth with texture.
Whidbey Island’s arts community is vibrant and growing. Each year, its natural splendor and supportive environment continue to attract talented professionals from all over the world. Sheltered from the chaos of society and immersed in the beauty and quiet rhythm of island life, many admit they are now creating the best work of their entire artistic careers.
Private by nature, this two-day tour provides the rare chance to meet these artists while experiencing the actual settings in which they work. Guests may also purchase art, as they hear the intimate story of its inspiration at the point of its creation. The $10 ticket includes a map of studio locations and a four-color 2010 wall calendar featuring the participating artists’ work. Heading up the list of sponsors this year is Whidbey Telecom. Proceeds from the event help to provide scholarships and grants for local students and aspiring artists. To purchase tickets online go to http://www.whidbeyopenstudiotour.org/, call (360) 221-4121 or contact the Pacific Northwest Art School at (360) 678-3396.
Ninety-two artists open their studio doors for the 13th Annual Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, September 26-27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The self-guided event allows guests an opportunity to peek into an artist’s personal space. In many cases the studios are in the artists’ homes.
Guests may meet woodworking artist Gary Leake, whose techniques and tools were employed during the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, many patiently passed down to him by his master cabinetmaker grandfather. Or fabric artist Mary Burks, who creatively stretches the typical use of fibers as she experiments with new textiles and yarns, creating unique cloth with texture.
Whidbey Island’s arts community is vibrant and growing. Each year, its natural splendor and supportive environment continue to attract talented professionals from all over the world. Sheltered from the chaos of society and immersed in the beauty and quiet rhythm of island life, many admit they are now creating the best work of their entire artistic careers.
Private by nature, this two-day tour provides the rare chance to meet these artists while experiencing the actual settings in which they work. Guests may also purchase art, as they hear the intimate story of its inspiration at the point of its creation. The $10 ticket includes a map of studio locations and a four-color 2010 wall calendar featuring the participating artists’ work. Heading up the list of sponsors this year is Whidbey Telecom. Proceeds from the event help to provide scholarships and grants for local students and aspiring artists. To purchase tickets online go to http://www.whidbeyopenstudiotour.org/, call (360) 221-4121 or contact the Pacific Northwest Art School at (360) 678-3396.
