Meet the artists at 39th Winter Studio Tour

By Staff report • November 21, 2022 1:30 am

The Winter Studio Tour is coming Dec. 2-4 with 46 juried artists.

The event features hand-crafted art, where you can meet the artists and buy directly from them. This is the 39th year for the Winter Tour, which will take place in five local studios and community halls.

The free, self-guided tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Artwork includes jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber, mixed media, photography and glass. Some of the unique art forms include: detailed paper cut designs, whimsical fairies and frogs, Nuno felted wearables, tall metal water towers, steam-bent wood and repurposed metal yard art.

“There are so many great stories of customers finding exquisite art for their homes and businesses, and gifts of course,” said Dinah Satterwhite, Studio Tour manager. “I love seeing the joy on their faces finding such unique, original art and getting to meet the creators.”

There are many new artists in the tour this year, including Kori Arruda of “Double Z Creative,” a family project. Using a CO2 laser, beautifully designed ornaments reflect the clean, simple, Pacific Northwest. Using natural wood, acrylic, sterling silver and jute, the final pieces showcase the collaborative design, Satterwhite said.

Also new is photographer and batik artist Melissa Bixby. Her Alaskan heritage is reflected in her batiks and photos of sea creatures. “I use large sweeping strokes, bright blended colors and defining textures, to share my vision of not only majestic sea life, but all of our natural world from which I draw inspiration,” Bixby said.

Other artists include: Mary Edwards, with semi-precious jewelry; Dixie Armfield, with fused and stained glass; Victoria Julien-Gary, with upcycled slippers, boots and bags; Eileen Sorg, with colored pencil over watercolor; Sophie Frieda, with oil paintings; Sydni Sterling, with acrylics; Kaaren Brooks, with sculptural and functional pottery; Leslie Newman, with contemporary abstracts; and Howard Julien with steam-bent wood.

Locations include: Elemental Furnishings’ studio, The Filipino-American Hall, the Masonic Center, the American Legion Hall and the Grange Hall. Each has up to 12 artists.

For more go to www.bistudiotour.com. The site includes a Featured Artist page with interviews, videos and behind-the-scenes photos. Satterwhite said it’s a great way to see some of the “magic” and 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.