Two of the artists on the Open Studio Tour are Diane Simons, above, throwing a pottery bowl, and sculptor Dan Earle shown with one of his creations. Photo Courtesy of Diane Simons

For a unique opportunity to look into the working studios of 15 northern Idaho artists, you are invited to their galleries where you can chat with the artists and see works of art in progress in the first Open Studio Tour.

As part of a countryside self-guided driving tour, locals and tourists may go behind the scenes from July 1 to Sept. 1 to see a wide variety of artwork in the Sandpoint area. Creations include fine furniture with fiber optics; clay, rock, and metal sculpture; hand-built and thrown pottery; gourds; basket making; hand-carved furniture; calligraphy and press work; spinning and weaving; and avant-garde experimental works.

Two distinctive tours, one to the north of Sandpoint, and one to the south, are recommended; plan on taking two days to see all 15 studios. They include: Strawberry Woven Studio, Linda Corson; Kaniksu Basket Studio, Diana Tombleson and Steve Jamsa; Haynes Studio, Katherine Haynes; Mace Studio, Jean Mace; Naples Gallery, Suzanne and Jim Lubalin; Marcotte Gourd Studio, Eileen Marcotte; Grende Studio, Janene Grende; Wellspring Art Studio, Terry Geeron-TYAT; Sunnyside Pottery Studio, Diane Simons; Abuyta Beadworks Studio, Jill Albertson; Baranski Studio, David Baranski; Studio by the Lake, Barbara Janusz; Cat’s Paw Studio, Sharon Gould; Studio Decouvrir, Dan Earle and Jackie Henrion; and Clark’s Creations Gallery, Catherine Clark and Daryl Sampey. There is no charge for the tour.

Free directional map brochures on the Open Studio Tour may be obtained in rack advertising displays located at area motels, restaurants and tourist locations.

– Susan Drinkard