A Celebration of Art, Place, and Community

Free, Self-Guided Art Event Returns May 1^st-3^rd, 2026

In 2026, the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of inviting the public into the working studios of artists throughout the Mid-Columbia Gorge. This free, self-guided spring event takes place May 1–3, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and offers visitors an opportunity to experience art at its source—where ideas, materials, and stories converge.

Set within one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dramatic landscapes, the tour reflects the deep relationship between creative expression and place. Artists are often driven by powerful and deeply personal forces: a love of materials, a need to make sense of the world, the desire to create beauty or social commentary, or memories—both cherished and challenging—that insist on being told. At its core, art is a form of storytelling, a practice as old as humanity itself, reaching back to the earliest known cave paintings created more than 17,000 years ago.

This year’s anniversary tour features 50 artists across 42 studio locations in Hood River and Wasco Counties in Oregon, and Skamania and Klickitat Counties in Washington. While early artists worked with limited tools, today’s artists draw from an expansive range of techniques and materials. Visitors will encounter work in painting, pastel, watercolor, ink, printmaking, photography, ceramics, basketry, woodworking, fiber and textiles, jewelry, enamel, and more.

Stepping inside an artist’s studio offers something rare: insight into process, intention, and the lived experience behind the work. It is a place where curiosity is welcomed, conversations unfold, and stories are shared- directly with the person who made the art.

“Participating in the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour is a true highlight of the year. I enjoy long-lasting relationships with the lovely folks who come to my studio. They very much look forward to our event and feel a sense of ownership. Selling is great, but these people offer a different type of commerce, and it’s precious.”
— Melanie Thompson, Ceramics, 18-year participating artist

Over the years, the tour has maintained a strong core of returning artists while continuing to welcome new voices. In 2026, the tour proudly introduces 9 artists opening their studios for the first time, adding new voices and perspectives to this anniversary year.

“I’m a pretty shy person and not a self-promoter, but I love visiting artists’ studios and talking with them. People need to understand the effort, love, and skill that goes into what we do, so I decided to open my studio this year for the first time.”
— Helen Fischer, Painter & Sculptor, First time participating artist