The event is presented to assist local artists in helping them to market their work and gain exposure in the community.  It is designed to showcase fine art and craft in the artist’s working environment demonstrating a broad range of media and styles. The tour offers visitors the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the artistic process in a wide range of original work.

Requirements and General Information

Screening for new members is on Saturday, February 11, 2012.  Screening will occur at the Peninsula Library Branch in Gig Harbor at 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW in the main Conference Room.

Art drop off will be between 10:00 – 10:15 AM

Art pickup will be between 11:30 AM

Artists wishing to screen must bring the following to be considered for the tour:

• Three (3) pieces of Gallery ready artwork (This is artwork ready to be displayed).
• Photo of your working Studio or if you are going to share another artist’s studio, please provide the name of that artist *
• Completed Application Form
• Artist Statement:  We are looking for professional / working artists in the Gig Harbor area so your statement should include some of the following elements: an explanation of your art style and your approach or philosophy of art.  Your education, specifically if you've studied art, and which artists (living and dead) who have influenced or inspired you. You may choose to include significant awards you have won, exhibitions you have participated in, collections or galleries your paintings appear in and painting organizations or societies you belong to.  You may also list some of the Juried Art Festivals you have participated in.

The Geographical boundaries for the Studio Tour are:

Pierce County West of the Narrows, North of Home on KPN (KPN North) and South of Mullenix Road in the Olalla area Kitsap County.  If your working studio is located in KPS (Key Peninsula South) or you live in the Port Orchard area north of Mullenix Road you may screen, but must have made prior arrangements to participate in the show at another artist’s studio inside the boundary. 

If accepted to the Open Studio Tour you will be asked to:

• Attend 3-5 meetings during the year to plan and implement the tour.
• Participate on one of the many committees to facilitate the tour.
• Pay $200 participation fee before or at the first General Meeting on February 29, 2012 at the Peninsula Library in Gig Harbor from 7 to 8:30 PM.
• Provide photos or scans of your work, your studio and yourself for publicity and the OST brochure.  These will be due at the first General Meeting February 29, 2012, 7-8:30 PM at Peninsula Library
  in Gig Harbor.
• Sign and abide by the Open Studio Participation Agreement posted on this website.

 Important Dates:

• February 11, 2012 Screening for new artists for OST
• February 15, 2012 Notifications of jury results mailed to all artists
• February 29, 2012 First General Meeting at the Peninsula Library in Gig Harbor
  from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.  Participation Fee and Photos/ Bio information due.
• Dates to be determined   2 - 3 Additional planning and implementation meetings.
• September 15 & 16, 2012 Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour.
• October timeframe “Wrap-Up” meeting to discuss 2012 tour and 2013 prospects.

INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE:

Download pdf files/forms

• 2012 Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour Information
• Artist Application
• Open Studio Tour Participation Agreement

**Please note.  If you have problems downloading forms from the website, the screening committee will be happy to send you hard copies. 

Contact:  Kate Larsson @ 253-265-1662 / CELL: 253-677-2735 or email:  KateL3722@aol.com