Of the 52 artists participating in the Whidbey Working Artists Summer Open Studio Tour this weekend, 16 of them are first-timers.

“We have a bunch of new artists this year,” said Kay Parsons, a watercolor artist and program coordinator for the tour. “We’ve got a lot of fiber painting, basketry, three wordworkers this time. I think there are five ceramics people.”

It’s one of the most diverse groups ever assembled for the free self-guided tour, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Formerly offered twice a year, the event now takes place once annually, stretching from Oak Harbor to Clinton.

There are 37 total stops, some featuring multiple artists, the largest clusters in Coupeville and Freeland.

The tour is a source of pride and hard work for Parsons, a graphics artist who puts together the event’s sleek 60-page, full-color catalog, devoting a page to each artists’ works.

Eight thousand catalogs are printed and start getting distributed in early July on and off Whidbey Island.

“It’s a big deal for us,” Parsons said.

Most visitor centers and libraries throughout the island, as well as some businesses and every participating artist, carry the catalogs, which include a map that details each location.

Not only is the tour an opportunity to see where artists do their work, some will be offering demonstrations and each will have their art for sale.

Whidbey Working Artists is holding a contest on its Facebook page with winners earning “tour dollars” that may be redeemed toward art purchases on the tour.

Regina Kastler is the first basketmaker to be featured on the studio tour, Parsons said.

The tour includes painters, glass artists, fiber artists, jewelry makers, sculptors, woodworkers and potters.

Joining Kastler among the newcomers this year are: Lisbeth Cort and John Moritz (mixed media), Marcia Derse, Teri Jo Summer-Reiger, Janet King and Cheryl Kamera (fiber arts), Sheila Mohn and Jean Mason (paintings), Jan Hoy (sculpture), Jordan Jones (hand thrown pottery), Ruth Rainey (jewelry), Steph Mader (glass artist), Kathleen Secrest (pastels), Ken Price (woodworker) and Sherren Anderson (studio glass)

One may also view or download the tour catalog’s by going to www.whidbeyworkingartists.com.