This weekend 80 Whidbey Island artists will provide a rare glimpse behind the scenes during the 10th annual Open Studio Tour.

Some of the best artists in the country will open their studios from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Sunday to visitors. Studios are spread out over the island; for a list of participating artists, visit www.whidbeyopenstudiotour.org.

Among them are nationally known artists Kent Lovelace and Rob Schouten who have received commissions by Jane Goodall and the family of the Dalai Lama.

The Studio Tour provides a number of opportunities for both artist and the public, Lovelace said.

“Most of us work alone creating what we do and when finally shown it is usually in a gallery in Seattle, L.A. or some distant land. The tour brings it home,” he said.

“It builds community through sharing our studios and art. Perhaps it demystifies our endeavors,” Lovelace added.

Visits by the public give the artists direct feedback.

“Art is often made in private but is meant to be understood as visual communication. It takes an audience. Oh, and some of our studios are pretty cool places to visit,” Lovelace said.

Schouten agreed.

“The tour provides both artist and audience an opportunity to directly communicate, something that doesn’t happen during regular gallery shows much,” Schouten said.

“It’s a great way for people to see a work in progress, realize how much goes into it, and ask questions that will help them get a deeper understanding and appreciation of an artist’s work,” he said

This year marks a big anniversary — it’s the tour’s 10th birthday. Much has changed since its humble beginnings.

“My favorite memory is being on the Island Arts Council’s Visual Arts Committee and starting the tours 10 years ago. We had seven participating artists. How far we’ve come,” Schouten said.

The Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour underscores the long tradition of the island as a haven for artists. The tour is held every year on the last weekend of September, and Whidbey Island artists and craftsmen again open their studios this year to give the public an unique opportunity to look at the creative world of the artist.

Painters, sculptors, photographers, potters, glass blowers, woodworkers, jewelers and crafters participate in two days of discovery on Whidbey Island.

Headquarters for the tour is at the Bayview Cash Store Front Room. To assist visitors in planning their itinerary, an exhibit of each artist’s work will be on display. The exhibit opened last Saturday.