The 2024 Anacortes Artist’s Studio Tour will take place:
Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, 2024 10am – 5pm.

Look for colorful signage designating open studios from the Skyline neighborhood to Cap Sante and from Old Town to the foot of Mt. Erie – with free maps to guide visitors who love to see where local art is created and to meet the artists who welcome questions about their work.

Learn about the artistry of blacksmithing, or how to turn a piece of driftwood into a graceful sculpture.  Step into the world of Native American artists at work in our town or see how stained glass windows and lamps are delicately created.

Hear about what inspires an artist to paint or ask questions of a photographer who captures images you love. Artists’ backgrounds range from traditional Samish bentwood boxes to paintings inspired by a Hindu monoastic lifestyle and much more.

“It’s the perfect time of year to spend some time with our local artists - to check out new trends, new mediums being used and to visit with the artists themselves. And it’s never too early to think ahead to holiday gift-giving or to find some special new art for yourself or your home.”

– Lisa Rhoades, co-chair of the AAST.

New participating artists in the 2024 studio tour and their mediums are:  Arup Biswas – photography; Andrea Cole – fiber art, art quilts; Rosemary Gray – acrylic, watercolor paintings; Annie Haynes – watercolor and acrylic paintings, landscapes and abstracts; Helen Merry – mixed media; Claudia Myer-Newman – mono prints, collage, encaustic and acrylic paintings, art lamps; Darlene Mindrum – acrylic painting, mixed media;  Isabelle Posillico – jewelry design from sketch to finished pieces – using gold, silver and gemstones.

The popular fall event allows visitors to choose from studios in every part of Fidalgo Island – from downtown to the foot of Mount Erie and from the Skyline neighborhood and Marine Drive beside Burrows Bay to Old Town and the Cannery Building on Fidalgo Bay’s waterfront where the Samish Nation and community will welcome visitors to see items made by a “carving circle” that meets there, near Seafarer’s Park.

“On a nice, fall day – it’s the perfect activity – enjoying our island and getting to know the artists who call it home,” Rhoades said.  She emphasized that it is a “working studio tour,” so artists will actually be engaged in creating their art while visitors are present.  “They’ll answer questions and explain as best they can how their art is made,” Rhoades added.

The artwork in the header banner of this page was used with permission from Alfred Currier.