Boasting as many artists as there are states in the country and more than a half-dozen destinations, Bainbridge Island’s two artist studio tours are, by the numbers alone, more impressive than ever.
Consider: Fifty artists, eight studios, three days and two tours.
Then again, the only number that really matters is one.
One, as in one of a kind, which is the order of the day at both the 2016 Bainbridge Island Summer Studio Tour and the Bainbridge Working Studios Summer Celebration. Original, unique, hand-crafted works by regional artists will be on display at studios around beautiful Bainbridge Island as part of the annual tours, offering canny connoisseurs the chance to meet and connect with the creators of the work they love — and maybe even discover new favorites.
Both are free, self-guided sojourns, allowing adventurous art lovers to set their own pace and the chance to get out of the gallery and in on the action in actual studio spaces.
Bainbridge Working StudiosSummer Celebration
Featuring five fantastic artisans working in diverse mediums such as paint, functional lighting, living landscapes and stained glass, the 2016 Bainbridge Working Studios Summer Celebration has something for everyone.
Founded in 2013, Bainbridge Working Studios is a collective of artists who regularly open their private studios to the public to educate, inspire and demonstrate. Their summer celebration event will include three separate studios to visit: Raquel’s Mosaics Studio (9590 NE Lovgreen Road), Mesolini Glass Studio (13291 Madison Ave. NE) and Cecil Ross Studio (12851 Madison Ave. NE) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14.
On display will be works by Sandra Sanchez Palacios (wood creations), Ian Turner (painter), Jerry Davis (interior lighting), Asha Kent (“living landscapes” and exterior lighting) and 2015 Island Treasure Award recipients Diane Bonciolini and Gregg Mesmer of Mesolini Glass (dishware and stained glass).
Musical performances throughout the tour will include Ko’okani on Friday, Laura Nastri and Stevie Grandinetti on Saturday and Krishnapelli on Sunday.
Visit www.biworkingstudios.com to learn more.
Bainbridge Island Summer Studio Tour
The 16th annual summertime tour, the warmer version of the longer running Winter Studio Tour, will take place across five different studios: Dancing Spirit Studio (7021 Fletcher Bay Road NE), Sylvia Carlton’s Studio (1245 Grow Ave. NW), Oho Design Studio (259 Ferncliff Ave. NE), Weissman Studio (10149 NE Roberts Road) and Hidden Cove Pottery & Tile (7176 NE Hidden Cove Road) open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Forty-five artists working in many mediums (paint, fibers, metal, photography, mixed media, glass and more) will share their styles, including Jean-Claude Louis, Steve Parmelee, Danna Watson, Tyler Larsen, Joanne Schoener Scott, Gayle Bair, Hollie Clark, Richard Ashton, Paula Ensign, Michael & Donna Day, Dinah Satterwhite, Shari Hutchinson, Robin Hoerth and many more.
The Bainbridge Island Studio Tour has been uniting artists and aesthetes for more than 30 years. Refreshments will be available as guests explore the studios and gardens of each stop, shop for original art and meet the creators behind each piece.
“We have several new artists, including one young gal [Robin Hoerth] from Ohio who does lovely glass art,” said tour manager and participating artist Dinah Satterwhite.
“Also new to the tour and to the area, from the southwest, is Bryan Woodford, who does amazing woodworking.”
Other noteworthy additions, Satterwhite said, include Sharon von Ibsch, who “does amazing paintings, photo realistic. She lives on the island and moved here recently.”
Visit www.bistudiotour.com or call 206-842-0504 for a tour map and more information. Brochures can be downloaded from the website or found at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce.
Tour Info
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 14.
WHERE: Select artist studios around Bainbridge Island.
ADMISSION: Free.
