The 2010 Vashon Island Holiday Art Studio Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12.

The tour is a free, self-guided event, produced by a large partnership of Island artists. A map to all participating studios is available at www.vashonislandartstudio

tour.com, and brochures can be found at most Island businesses.

The tour got its start in the 1970s, and has become a homegrown Vashon tradition that offers Islanders and visitors an opportunity to shop locally during the holiday season. Thirty-eight studios and 75 artists will open their doors, presenting fiber art, glass, jewelry, candles, pottery, tile and mosaic art, photography, sculpture, prints, paintings and more.

Several studios will be kicking off the holiday tour during the First Friday Gallery Cruise from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3. Check the cruise listings on page 14.

A few highlights of the tour will include the following studios:

David Erue will sell elegantly funky garden sculptures, constructed from recycled materials, from his studio on Cove Road.

Visitors to Mary Hosick’s pottery studio will see a contradiction of materials when she blends her passions for clay and fiber.

The Reimnitz Studio, known for watercolors, oils, prints and Northwest wildlife sculpture, will introduce a new young talent — Annie Hancock, who makes painted earthenware pottery.

Gordon Barnett of GRB Bells will offer hundreds of wearable bell designs at his studio.

Sue Willingham’s studio will host several spinners and weavers, who will offer demonstrations.

At Brian Brenno Blown Glass, visitors will be invited to blow ornaments.

Fiddle Home Farm artists will demonstrate Ukranian egg dying.

Two well-known artists collectives, Barnworks and Waterworks, are also on the tour, providing a chance to sample the work of dozens of artists at both locations. Visitors to Barnworks will have a chance to purchase raffle tickets to win a collage, “The Portage Athletic Club,” created collectively by Barnworks artists. All proceeds of the raffle will go to the Vashon High School Scholarship Fund.

Contact Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Arts Editor Elizabeth Shepherd at arts@vashonbeachcomber.com or 206-463-9195.

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