Exploring art across Whatcom County for nearly 30 years.
[Updated Oct. 6, 2024]
Why is the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour (WAST) important to the people of Whatcom County? Think inspiration, meaning, joy and connection.
The tour has been organized since 1995, and each year visitors have chatted with dozens of local artists who create works in various media, including woodworking, sculpture, glass, mixed media, painting, clay, jewelry, fiber arts and photography.
This year’s tour features 49 artists, and is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5–6 and 12–13. The event takes place in the artists’ studios and galleries, which are typically dedicated to the mostly solitary work of creation.
Joy and meaning
Here’s what some of the artists have to say about why this annual event is so significant:
Glass artist Brian Kerkvliet, a WAST board member and cofounder, has been involved with the tour since the beginning, almost 30 years ago.
“Over that time it has grown and enriched the lives of our community,” he said. “We are pleased to showcase some of the most expressive artists in this corner of the nation. I’m excited for this year’s tour with the wonderful diversity of artists showing.”
Sculptors Don Anderson and Suzanne Averre, who have participated for many years, said that that “many visitors to Applewood Farm Studios have commented on how excited and joyful they have felt, finding the little pockets of creativity, inspiration and delight they have found, being able to follow the map to welcoming studios such as ours.”
In turn, they added, “artists have found it an important and integral part of the meaning of what we do, to be able to meet tour-goers and share with them the fruits and joys of our labor.”
Creative fuel for an entire year
Painter Kristen Ingman said that, as an artist and teacher, the studio tour is possibly the best way to view and experience art.
“Participants not only get to see an artist’s precious creative space but are able to have conversations about what inspires an artist and what the artist is expressing in their work. This experience fuels me for the entire year because I get to talk about what I love,” she said. “I’m left feeling like I’m making things that are meaningful for others, which is so gratifying.”
Painter Terry Brooks, who has had a medically challenging year, shared his excitement about the tour.
“Normally, I participate every Saturday morning near the Bellingham Farmers Market and meet regulars who buy cards and view my paintings,” Brooks said. But this year, Labor Day weekend was the first time he could make it. “This means the artist tour weekends are very important to me. I’ll be able to connect with friends who have been wondering what happened to me.” [Ed.: Updated to correct location.]
‘A treasure’ for all
Mixed-media artist Rachel Simpson believes that the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour is important because it connects the entire community with local creators.
“[The tour] branches out to local artists, like myself, who contribute to our local business, arts, education and neighborhoods,” she said, “[we also take part in] other local events, marketing and illustration, and some of us even teach art classes that benefit the places that we call home.”
Woodworkers Jennifer and Tom Dolese said that they intentionally cultivate community with their Terra Firma Design projects.
“For example, when we offer weeklong group classes, one of the highlights is Thursday dinner at our house with spouses and partners invited,” Jennifer said. “It’s been a pleasure to meet folks who share an interest in the craft of woodworking, and some have become lifelong friends. The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour expands that sense of community to a wider field of craft artists in and around the county.”
Woodworker Stewart Wurtz called the tour “a treasure…. As an artist, I love the interaction. If asked, I can expand on what drives my own work and the passion for why I do what I do. Tour participants often share their own enthusiasm — sometimes for the work on hand they are discovering, or for a previous studio that has just inspired them,” he said.“All good fun and a true win/win!”
More on the artists and their work and a map of locations is online.
— By Margaret Bikman
Also read in Salish Current: “Secrets — revealed — of Whatcom County artists,” Oct. 9, 2024