The annual Open Studio Tour takes place Friday thru Sunday, Sept. 18 through 20, with nearly 60 artists showing their work in 23 studios in Gig Harbor, South Kitsap and Fox Island. Art lovers can meet artists who work in clay, photography, jewelry, fiber, glass, stone, wood and a variety of painting and drawing mediums. Studios are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Gig Harbor potter Al Johnsen, who started a similar tour when he taught art at a university in Santa Cruz, California, founded the Open Studio Tour in 1993. He and his wife moved to Gig Harbor in the early 1990s, and he quickly made the acquaintance of other local artists who agreed to open their studios to the public.
In addition to Johnsen, the first Open Studio Tour featured seven other artists, including a metal sculptor, a tapestry weaver, a wood worker and several painters. Johnsen’s goal was to introduce the Gig Harbor community to people who supported themselves making beautiful, often functional items with their hands.
The tour grew with new artists being juried-in every year and others retiring. The jurying process usually takes place in January or February and requires prospective participants to provide examples of their work, photos of their studio, and commit to volunteering for tasks that go into presenting the three-day event. In addition, each participating artist pays a fee to help offset tour-related expenses…