The artistic works inspired by the unique setting of San Juan Island come in all shapes, sizes, colors, textures, materials, media, dimensions and so on.

And the artists that create that work? Well, they’re a diverse lot as well.

On June 6-7, not only will you have the opportunity peruse a multitude of truly mesmerizing San Juan Island crafted art, but you can seize the chance to observe a host of island artists at work, or possibly at play, in their natural habitat: the studio.

The 24th annual Artists Studio Tour will feature 15 different studios and 41 distinct artists, many of whom will share space (if you’re wondering about the math) and all of whom boast their own unique style, flair and vision when it comes to the tough, time-consuming task of turning inspiration into a work of art.

You’ll find oil on canvas by Shiwei Gao, stone, glass  and metal sculptures by Tom Small, pottery by Paula West, paintings by Nancy Spaulding and Matt Dollahite, ceramics by Lauren Jawer, jewelry by Stella Joh, photography by Keith Busha and glass, wood carvings by Laura Long, fused and lampwork glass by Darleen Nixon, and jewelry and encaustic paintings by Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso… and that’s just for starters.

But the artists studio has always been much more than just about the art. The annual two-day event offers tour-goers a gateway into the everyday life of an artist and a good look at the surroundings in which as artist creates. Demonstrations, watching an artist in action, is one of the hallmarks of the tour.

While many locally crafted works of art are sold year-round at trade shows, online and through galleries, the two-day tour provides a novel opportunity to chat up an artist one-on-one and discover what makes them tick and about the creative process.

But that’s not all.

The 2015 tour also features a raffle drawing for door prizes at each of the 15 studios. Fill out a raffle form for a chance to win a work of art donated by each of the 15 participating studios.

For more about the tour, or to whet your appetite by taking a “virtual tour” of the tour, visit www.sanjuanislandartists.com.

— Scott Rasmussen