<p>Glass and jewelry artist Vickie Branch offers visitors the chance to create glass tree ornaments. The "catch" is that you must announce yourself as being on the PAA tour when you visit her Chinook shop Nov. 23 and 24. Submitted photo</p>

LONG BEACH PENINSULA, Wash. Peninsula Arts Associations fifth annual studio tour offers visitors to Washingtons Long Beach Peninsula a chance to explore and discover art through the doors of local artists the weekend after Thanksgiving. Seventeen private studios and area galleries will open their doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 for a relaxed and up-close chance to see artists at work. Beginning in Chinook and traveling north to Surfside, the route is also a way to see the beautiful land. The event is free to the public and suitable for all ages.

In Chinook, Vickie Branch of M & D Designs offers a torch bead-making demonstration, along with a special gift to all who mention they stopped by for the tour. The work of more than 20 artists fills the shop, along with jewelry supplies and studio space for glass, silver and lapidary work.

At the Port of Ilwaco, Marie Powell will hold printmaking demonstrations at her printmaking studio along with wood block demonstrations by Penny Treat, plus an assortment of framed original works and limited editions. Set amidst the work of more than 30 local artists, Terry Branch will demonstrate wire-wrapping techniques at M & D Designs and Gifts in downtown Long Beach.

Four artists on the tour are using PAAs new office in Long Beach for the display of work and demonstrations. Judy Cox will demonstrate her popular art card-making technique of iris folding. Joyce Wingett will demonstrate pastel drawing, and has some of her very first charcoal drawings on hand to show (and encourage) new artists. Nancy Meyrick brings forth her beautiful photography and Theresa Mahar sparkles with glass wind chimes, found beach creations and her Wild Women series that come complete with wonderfully witty stories for each.

There are two studios dotted along the path from Long Beach to the north end of the peninsula, one on the beach side and one on the bay side; tour visitors can drop by one on the way north and the other on the way south. On Pacific Highway, Jim Unwins hobbit-inspired studio, beckons guests inside under the watchful eye of a carved raven, while on Sandridge Road, E. Bonn-Zimmermans Epinoia Studio holds a printmaking demonstration, original paintings, prints and cards in an equally beautiful setting.

There is quite a cluster of activity in Ocean Park. Starting on the east end of Bay Avenue, visit the Wiegardt Studio Gallery. Artist Eric Wiegardt was recently awarded the prestigious 2012 Gold Medal of Honor from the American Watercolor Society. The walls of his charming studio are filled with original work, and there are limited edition prints and cards. Information about art classes is also available. Next is the Barn on Bay, home to photographers Charlie and Bonnie Lou Cozby. The lower part of this property is home to deer and the occasional bear as well as birds; the location provides a photo-op for visitors. Just a few steps away is the home of Andrea Weirs studio. Her beaded and fused glass jewelry and wall hangings are full of color and texture, and her other glass works give a burst of color. Weir is also a stained glass artist and has many of her larger pieces on display. A bit farther along the avenue, acrylic artist Bette Lu Krause has opened Bette Lus Holiday Studio for November and December. Original and limited editions of her nature-inspired work will be on view as well as cards, tiles and smaller works, plus a decorated and shining Christmas tree. Anchoring the west end, Bay Avenue Gallery hosts the work of 40 artists. Sue Raymond plans a clay-sculpting demonstration, and the location will also host Barbara Lester with her fused glass jewelry and encaustic art as well as watercolorist Cynthia Pride, who uses her heartfelt paintings to create prints, cards and magnets. Ornaments will be for sale at this location.

Just north of town finds two more studios. Located on U Street, Carol Couch brings out her original paintings and matted prints to display in her light-filled studio. Off Pacific a couple of blocks, Michele Naquaiya opens her studio with scratchboard drawings, paintings, prints, cards, digital art and hand-knit items.

Surfside can be a bit of a challenge to get around, but with the help of PAA Art Event signs and a help station located at Anchor Realty on I Street, visitors should have no trouble finding the four stops located there.

Windy Meadows Pottery, home to clay artist Jan Richardson, is also host to two other clay artists, all three part of the Peninsula Clay Artists group as well as PAA. Richardson creates whimsical hand-built cottages and functional and thrown pottery, using several firing techniques and working in stoneware and porcelain. Danni Pederson focuses on functional and decorative pottery and tiles as well as bowls and vases, and Renee OConnor creates architectural tiles and pottery along with photography; look for her obelisks in downtown Long Beach.

Farther up G Street is the home studio of Ruth Carpenter. Colorful abstracts, watercolors and acrylics, and hand-painted cards are the offerings of this respected artist. Traveling north again on I Street brings you to signs leading to the studio of Brigid Byrne. A favorite at the recent PAA Fall Art Show, Byrne chooses many familiar local destinations for the subjects of her artwork. A bit farther still, on the ridge and past Oysterville Road, Don Perry caps the tour with his metal art, featuring hand-cut indoor and outdoor work.

PAAs studio tour opens the door to exciting demonstrations and displays, one-of-a-kind holiday shopping possibilities and the chance to meet your favorite artists while driving through a beautiful and charming part of the farthest southwest bit of Washington. There will be refreshments and beverages along the way, too.

Maps of the route are available at the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau in Seaview, the Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce and on PAAs website at www.beachartist.org as well as in the Nov. 21 edition of the Chinook Observer.

For more information, visit www.beachartist.org or check out the Peninsula Arts Association on Facebook.