Blaine artist Kay Dee Powell on work behind art studio tour

Blaine artist Kay Dee Powell said the Blaine by the Sea Art Studio Tour was created in response to an art-parched community. The tours, which showcase the work of gifted artists in Blaine and Birch Bay, will run again from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 and Saturday, June 25.

Powell said she had noticed talented artists in the community but minimal places to showcase their work. It was because of this and her own experience with a home studio she couldn’t share during the pandemic that she decided to write her first grant to try to bring art back to Blaine.

“I am a retired school teacher who didn’t pick up a paintbrush until about 10 years ago,” she said. “I am fascinated with creation, color and creativity.”

Powell started her art journey with watercolor through the guidance of her first teacher, local artist Nancy Grigsby. She then began acrylic painting under Blaine artist Dolores Jordan.

“I’ve studied under Jennifer Bowman, Bob Burridge, Nicholas Wilton and international silk painter Karen Sistek,” she said. “I’m a lifelong learner.”

Powell practices silk, acrylic and encaustic painting and makes hand-painted silk scarves. To view more of her work, visit Kay Dee’s Artistry on Facebook.

Blaine Chamber of Commerce executive director Sheila Wood credits the art studio tours to Powell’s vision of creating a more vibrant art community. “Blaine had art studios at one point, but it was a while ago and these tours will hopefully become an annual thing for residents to engage with and look forward to,” Wood said.

Wood said she and Powell worked together to create the event from the ground up and have already seen promising community engagement in the first year.

“We are working to get even more artists and local businesses involved in the coming tours,” she said. “We especially want to encourage more Semiahmoo artists to participate in the coming tours so we have reopened registration for the two upcoming tours.”

Powell said she wants to thank the team behind the art studio tours, including Wood, digital and social media coordinator Ruth Lauman, economic development and tourism coordinator Alex Wenger and logo, poster and brochure designer Serge Samoylenko.

“Blaine has a vibrant art community,” she said. “We hope to make the Blaine by the Sea Art Studio Tour an annual event.”