BAINBRIDGE ISLAND 2023 WINTER STUDIO TOUR – December 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Margaret Millmore | Posted on November 20, 2023 |

This is the 40^th Anniversary for the Bainbridge Island Winter Studio Tour, and to celebrate, they are raffling off a huge gift basket at each studio venue (no purchase necessary).

With 48 artists in five venues, this art event offers quality, hand-crafted art, where you can meet the artist and buy directly from them.

Each artist has been juried, ensuring that the artwork is high quality and original, reflecting the “hand and spirit of the artist.” Each artist will also be present at their designated studio, so visitors can really get to know the them and learn about their techniques, style, and inspiration. Plus, many artists offer custom work, sizes, and themes.

This free, self-guided tour takes place from 10am to 5pm each day, and you will find a variety of art mediums, such as metal work, jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber, mixed media, photography, garden art, and glass. The artists really work hard to create new works, incorporating new methods, styles, and raw materials. Some of the unique artforms include: 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.

Brochures can be found around town, and details are on the Studio Tour website. The site includes a Featured Artist page with artist interviews, videos, and behind-the-scenes photos of the artists in their studios, hard at work. 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 & videos.

There are many new artists in the Tour 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 hard woods, all sustainable sourced from the area. “It’s always so interesting to have such talented artists come out of the woodwork, so to speak,” says Dinah Satterwhite, Studio Tour Manager. “We have some amazing people joining us this year, and I can’t wait to see the smiling faces as our customers meet the new artists, along with their favorites from previous years.”

Another new artist is clothing designer Elizabeth Garver. She makes finely crafted wearables with very distinctive styles, using textured silks, wools, and cottons. With a Master of Fine Arts degree in textiles, her work is featured in books and boutiques nationwide. This will be her first time at the Studio Tour. Look for jackets, blouses, scarves, and unique wool coats.

Some of the Tour’s “seasoned” 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 this year, including Elemental Furnishings’ studio owned by wood/paper/metal artists Kathryn LaFond and George Brooks, The Filipino-American Hall, the Masonic Center, the American Legion Hall, and the Grange Hall. Each location will have five to fourteen artists, all there in person to share their art, their stories, and their inspirations.

For photos of each artist’s work and bios, along with a map of the studios and event details, go to: Tour Artists – Bainbridge Island Studio Tour (bistudiotour.com). Brochures can be downloaded from the website or found at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and regional stores. For more information or to receive a brochure in the mail, please call Tour Manager Dinah Satterwhite at 206-842-0504.