Island artists will open their doors the first two weekends of December for the annual Holiday Art Studio Tour.

This self-guided tour, part of a long tradition on Vashon, will include more than 150 artists at 45 studios and galleries across the island. Maps will help tour guests explore the wide range of art created on the island, much of it available to purchase.

As always, a wide range of techniques, processes and materials will be represented, including folk art, wooden walking sticks, jewelry, stained glass and more. Participating artists include some fairly new to the tour, such as Ken Judd, who finds and repurposes items into folk art objects, and stalwarts of the tour, such as tile artist Irene Otis, one of the artists who helped create the first tour more than 30 years ago.

The wide diversity of participating studios will provide a variety of experiences, organizers say, and will include the historic Beall greenhouses, where basalt sculptor Tony Kaufman of 3000BC Studios works and where Quartermaster Press is located. Other notable locations include the studio of Jacqui Lown at the historic Marjesira Inn, down a windy trail and a long stairway on Quartermaster Harbor, and Waterworks Studio, hosted by Chris and Darcie Beck. Nineteen artists will be represented there, showing pottery, birdhouses, painting, sculpture, apparel, photography and more.

The heart of town will also be part of the tour, with galleries there hosting shows that highlight local artists.

Tour hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 7 to 8 and 14 to 15. For more information about the tour, pick up a map at several island businesses or download one from www.VashonIslandArtStudioTour.com.