There’s nothing like getting up close and personal with artists in the places where they create their art—see how they work, pick their brains, maybe even get a chance to experiment with their materials.

Art appreciators will have the chance to do just this at the upcoming South Sound Studio Tour. Over 40 artists, some local and some invited from elsewhere, will show their work in several studios throughout Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater.

Among the participating artists are Susan Aurand; Lynette Charters and John Serembe; ceramicist Nicole Gugliotti; painter and multi-media artist Kathy Gore Fuss; Hart James; collage and mixed-media artist Gail Ramsey Wharton; sculptor Aisha Harrison; Susan Christian; Sherry Buckner; and Marilyn Frasca.

Aurand and Frasca will show together at Aurand’s studio, 2317 Peach Ave. NW, Olympia. Frasca told OLY ARTS, “I’ll have a kind of preview of some drawings that will be in my solo show at Childhood’s End next fall at Arts Walk. I’ll [also] have a few older drawings that got me started on doing printed textures including a few encaustic paintings.”

Aurand was recently seen at Childhood’s End and in the Juror’s Invitational at South Puget Sound Community College. “My work celebrates the natural world and is a means to explore the nature of perception and of multiple, co-existing realities.” She said. “Everything is continuously transforming, and I am interested in what lies behind [and] beyond momentary surface appearances.”

Wharton will open two rooms in her studio at 5413 34th Ave SE, Lacey. “Mostly I’m happy to share my studio, and I will try to set up some materials for those who might like to offer their creative ideas for a joint artwork,” she said. There will be aprons and smocks on hand, and her studio is handicap accessible.

Christian will be showing “lots of new stuff,” along with Lucy Gentry in Gentry’s studio, the former Salon Refu, 114 N. Capitol Way, Olympia.

There are so many artists, it may be a challenge to visit them all in one day. We recommend checking the map and choosing wisely. Studio Tour maps are available at Bar Francis, Olyphant, Arbutus Folk School and other locations in downtown Olympia.

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