After a long and dreary winter, as soon as rhododendrons begin to burst with color on Vashon, you can bet that art is about to start blooming as well.

Could there be a more certain sign of spring than dozens of artists flinging open their studio doors for the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour?

The tour is set to take place from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 2 to 3 and 9 to 10.

It’s a chance to see how artists live and work and to purchase artworks directly from their creators.

There are several new stops this year.

Potter Liz Lewis recently finished construction on a brand new studio space at 12714 S.W. Cemetery Rd., and she’s eager to show it off.

The light-filled space, filled with brightly painted dinnerware, serving dishes, pitchers, canisters and raku vases, will also serve as a workshop for the potter.

There are more than 25 other stops on the self-guided tour, including peeks at places where artists create playful garden art, botanically inspired prints, festive earthenware pottery, inspiring tiles, hand-dyed clothing, paintings, photographs, blown glass, handcrafted wooden objects, candles and much more.

Some artists will not only display art, but show others how to make it as well.

Brian Brenno will lead glass-blowing demonstrations for all ages at his studio, located at 9850 S.W. 148th St.

“It’s a cool thing,” he said, “and the kids just love it.”

Emily Pruiskma and Shane Jewell, of Fiddle Home Farm Beeswax Crafts at 20020 107th Ave. S.W., will sell hand-dipped beeswax candles, candle holders and lanterns during the tour, but they’ll also show visitors how to make Ukrainian eggs with beeswax-resist techniques.

Another stop on the tour will be Barnworks, where there will be a group show of paintings, photography and other work in the barn gallery. Outside, tour-goers can stroll the beautiful grounds to see an abundant display of garden art.

The tour will show off Vashon’s beauty, but it will also provide a window to another Island culture.

Pam Ingall’s exhibit at The Hardware Store Restaurant, “Facing King Islanders,” features 40 portraits of members of an Eskimo tribe in Nome, Alaska, who were displaced from their native island in the 1960s.

“Painting in Nome last fall was like going to a completely different planet,” Ingalls said. “Not only the culture and people were mysterious — even the sun and stars were different. It was an amazing experience.”

The chief of the tribe, Marilyn Koezuna-Irelan, and several other King Islanders are flying down from Nome for the opening reception of the show, which will take place during the Gallery Cruise from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the restaurant.

There will also be special guests from a very different world at Veracityblue Studio, 25141 120th Ave. S.W.

The studio belongs to artist Kathryn Scott, who will show contemporary textural panels.

Scott has invited cabaret dancers Sassy DeLure and Fuchsia FoXXX to perform an all-ages show at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3. DeLure and FoXXX have a wealth of experience in burlesque, visual art, belly dancing and more.

There is a $5 suggested donation for the show, which includes refreshments.

Fans of photography will enjoy a number of tour stops that focus on that medium, including a display of the work of Rondi Lightmark and Lotus at Vashon Community Care Center. Lotus shoots scenes of Vashon; Lightmark creates portraits of the old Island dogs. Cat lovers will also find cards and posters.

To find out more the art tour, visitvashonislandartstudiotour.com or pick up a copy of the tour map. Maps can be found at most Island businesses.