In 1996, Lopez artists Christa Malay and Corwin Martin started the Lopez Island Studio Tour with a few artists who all agreed to open their studios to display and sell their work, while showing the public where they worked. By 2003 the tour had expanded to 15 studios and 20 artists and this year there are 29 studios and 22 artists. And a group of Lopez artists on the 2011 tour said people seem happy to buy art at the tour. They estimated the total art sales for the  event with 46 participating artists was easily $100,000.

The Lopez Island Studio Tour gives people an opportunity to experience first-hand the quality and craftsmanship of the island’s many artists on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1 and 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The self-guided tour is free and accessible by car or bicycle.

For more info and to see a list of artists, visit www.lopezstudiotour.org.