Discovering Clark County’s creative side

Several area artists will open their studios to the public this weekend for a free, self-guided tour. Six of them are located in Camas.

The Clark County Open Studios Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Artists will share how, why and where their art is created. Local artists include Claire Bandfield, Elida Field, Chris Lowery, Gene Dietzen, Paul Solevad and Barbara Kay Bureker.

“Open Studios is a fun activity that encourages artists to interact and form new relationships within Clark County,” said Bandfield, a sculptor.

She is helping coordinator Jennifer Williams get the word out about the event in the local area.

“Her dedication to promote arts within our community is incredibly inspiring,” Bandfield said. “It is a fantastic event, and I’m excited to be involved. I encourage people to stop by all the studios, say hello and ask questions.”

It is the second time Bandfield, who creates hand cast stone planters, has participated in the event.

“It’s the only time my studio is open to the public, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage with people in my neighborhood,” she said. “This year, I’m really looking forward to debuting a new collection of pots.”

Field has a studio on the outskirts of downtown Camas. It is the third year the painter and mixed media artist has participated in the event.

“”I look forward to meeting new people and sharing my studio and process,” she said. “I love it when families and kids come because I am a very ‘hands on’ studio and I like the kids to be able to touch my paintings, ask questions and get excited about art. It helps people to relax and realize not everything about art is ‘no touching.’ Some art is meant to be touched, maybe even taken off the wall and looked at from all angles.”

She will be offering hot apple cider and cookies for visitors, and recommends the tour of the various studios because it’s a unique opportunity to see how artists really work.

“It allows them to get the ‘behind the scenes,’ or see the inside scoop as to how art is made and this is really imperative in helping people connect to art as well as with artists,” Field said. “It’s free, and a perfect outing for this time of year.”

Lowery, who creates with clay, enjoys meeting local artists and community members who come to the studio tour.

“The artists are all very supportive but I think you get really candid feedback from the community,” she said. “I work a lot by myself, so it is nice to connect with others.”

For more information about the tour, visit www.ccopenstudios.org.