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Still Time to Catch Camano’s Studio Tour

The long-running island art event returns for its encore weekend May 17-18

Watercolor painting of a blue heron in mid-flight with wings spread, set against a soft, blurred background—perfect for Mother’s Day or as a highlight piece during the Camano Island Studio Tour for those who appreciate good art.
Artwork by Nicki Wight
Image courtesy of the Camano Island Studio Tour

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.

If you’re up for a scenic drive and love discovering art where it’s made, the Camano Island Studio Tour is worth the trip.

Now in its 26th year, what began as a 14-venue event listed on a single sheet of paper has evolved into one of the North Puget Sound’s most beloved art experiences.

If you missed opening weekend earlier this month, there’s still time. The Camano Island Studio Tour returns for an encore May 17-18, with local artists opening their studios to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

A vibrant, floral quilt features a large bee at the center, surrounded by colorful flowers, fruits, butterflies, and patterned borders—an ideal Mother's Day gift or a highlight from the Camano Island Studio Tour.
Artwork by Opal Cocke
Image courtesy of the Camano Island Studio Tour

The tour — sponsored by the Camano Arts Association — features artworks in a variety of media, including paintings, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, leather and woodworking, and hand-blown and fused glass. It’s a perfect way to experience Camano Island’s creative spirit, lush landscapes and serene coastlines.

Several original artists from the first tour still participate, including Jack Gunter — known for his egg tempera and mixed-media paintings; Marc Boutte (blown glass and ceramic pieces); and Karla Matzke, owner of Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park.

A collage of four abstract and semi-abstract paintings featuring vibrant colors, geometric shapes, birds, flowers, and expressive brushstrokes—an example of good art perfect for a Mother’s Day gift or celebrating creativity with the Camano Arts Association.
Clockwise From Top Left: Artwork by Dotti Burton; Cecilia Tweed; Karin Evensta; Betty Dorotik
Images courtesy of the Camano Island Studio Tour

SENSORIUM Takes on Our Screen Addiction

SENSORIUM Takes on Our Screen Addiction

Dance, drag, and immersive art collide in an eight-week exploration of our phone-obsessed lives, with a few surprises along the way. 

What do drag queens, smartphone addiction, art installations, and an old luggage shop have in common?  According to longtime Seattle choreographer Alana O’Farrell Rogers, a lot.  “There’s no dead time anymore,” says Rogers, explaining how the proliferation of smartphones fills the empty spaces that once served as time for rest or connection. Where we snuggled…

Salt-N-Pepa on Breaking Barriers and Staying Power

Salt-N-Pepa on Breaking Barriers and Staying Power

Ahead of their performance at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture gala, the hip-hop pioneers talk about creative ownership, connecting with new generations, and the songs that still resonate.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) will host its annual ICONS of Pop Culture Gala in Seattle on October 22, honoring five artists and institutions whose work has helped shape entertainment and culture.  This year’s honorees are martial arts and film legend Bruce Lee, fashion designer Jeremy Scott, the video game franchise Halo, hip-hop pioneers…

Studio Sessions: Christopher Paul Jordan

Studio Sessions: Christopher Paul Jordan

Drawing on childhood memories, neighborhood history, and salvaged materials, Christopher Paul Jordan’s latest show at Cornish’s Behnke Family Gallery explores how the past stays with us.

Start in the middle. It’s good advice for telling a story, and a way into Christopher Paul Jordan’s paintings. By the time you encounter them, their materials have already been something else, and who knows what they might move on to become. The Tacoma interdisciplinary artist works with salvaged objects, including screens, picture frames, canvas,…

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).

WEDDING BELLS I’ve been a bit absent from this column lately, but I think I have a pretty good excuse: I got married! It’s already been three weeks since my September 19 wedding, but I’m still reflecting on the magic of the day. My fiancé, well husband now (I can’t get used to saying it!),…