Art enough for everyone

Published 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 29, 2006

While Bainbridge Island is rarely lacking in arts and entertainment opportunities, from art shows and concerts to plays and festivals, this weekend brings not one, but two major arts events.

In addition to the Island-wide Christmas in the Country (see story page 7), it’s also the annual Bainbridge Island Winter Studio Tour, Dec. 1 through 3.

Nine venues will be displaying work by 61 artists. If this doesn’t satisfy your Christmas shopping nothing will.

Like Christmas in the Country, the Studio Tour is also a self-paced driving tour. Just pick up a map and go. While Christmas in the Country features many artists offering handmade Christmas decorations, as well as other art, the Studio Tour has less of an emphasis on Christmas.

Four of the stops are in artists’ studios, the others are in public spaces.

The Bainbridge Commons, 402 Brien Drive, features six artists, with three jewelry makers, a stone carver, a painter and a leather worker.

The Masons Hall, corner of High School Road and Grow Avenue, will be buzzing with 10 artists, from painter Debra Brochin to textile artist Christine Townsend.

The Filipino-American Hall, 7566 High School Road NE, hosts eight artists with artistic items for home and garden.

Seabold Hall, 14451 Komedal Road NE, features seven artists, including Danna Watson of Dancing Spirit Studio, with her whimsical dolls, Mary Edwards and her “Joi de Vie” jewelry and Hollie Clark with “OHO Clothing and Accessories,” cozy fleece clothing and seasonal accessories.

The Island Music Guild Hall, 10598 Valley Road NE, is a new venue this year, and along with 10 artists will also provide a musical interlude.

Slated performers are Dave Chapman on stick melodies and improvisations at 1 p.m. and Nordleik Scandinavian folk dancers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday it’s old time fiddle expert Stuart Williams at 1 p.m. and a cappella choir Soundwave at 4:30 p.m. Sunday has Pat Strange and the junior string ensemble at 11:30 a.m., and at 3 p.m. acoustic guitarist Peter Spencer takes the stage. More performers may be added before the tour starts.

Private studios opening their doors are Sally Prangley Studio, 5244 Lynwood Center Road; Cecil Ross Studio, 12851 Madison Ave. NE; Mesolini Glass Studio, 13291 Madison Ave. NE and Fenwick Arts Studio, 7861 Day Road West.

The tour is free, and the first 200 participants who visit all nine venues will receive a souvenir mug. And you don’t have to do it one day. The event runs for three days, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 3. For more information and to download a map visit www.bistudiotour.com.