Submitted by Pat Torpie

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, thirty-five Lopez artists will once again open their studios for the 23rd Annual Artist Studio Tour, a popular Labor Day weekend event for artists and art lovers alike.

Lopez has long been home to an amazing array of artists, many of who, are nationally known and collected worldwide. Ceramic artist Nancy Bingham has lived on Lopez for 40 years making and selling her pottery and sculpture that capture the natural beauty of the island she loves.

“I’ve been participating in the studio tour since 1996 and besides being a motivation for an annual deep cleaning of my studio, it’s a time when I get to share my space with people who I care about who appreciate and collect my work. It’s like inviting somebody into your home. It’s intimate.”

There is something very special about the island that inspires art of every kind. The quality of light, the textures of the sea and pastures, the friendly and healthy lifestyle we all share in our community.

Visitors to the tour will be able to move from studio to studio at their own pace following a treasure hunt of fine art and craftsperson ship, including woodworkers, metal and glass sculptors, textile weavers, photographers, painters of an array of mediums and mixed media artists. Getting to the studios is an adventure unto itself with many studios tucked into the woods, by a pond or in lush garden settings. The studios are often works of art themselves and visitors enjoy the opportunity to see artists at work and to experience what inspires them to create art.

The tour is not to be missed. Opening reception is at the Lopez Community Center on Friday evening, August 30st from 5 to 7pm. This is a chance to view samples of artists work and enjoy locally prepared refreshments.

The tour is brought to you by the Lopez Island Artist Guild.

For more information please contact Pat Torpie at pattorp@mac.com.