The Chester County Studio Tour, which highlights the work of local artists, will take place on Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. As part of the tour, which is free and open to the public, the community is invited to view the artwork of 148 artists, which will be on display in 59 studios around Chester County.

Nancy Fuhrman of Coatesville, one of the artists on the tour, explained that members of the public can visit the event website and map out their stops at the various artists' studios at their own pace. "There are potters, printmakers, watercolorists, woodworkers and people who work in glass (featured on the tour)," said Fuhrman. "It's a chance for us to show our stuff and (for visitors) to know who we are."

Artisans are required to be in their studios during the tour to answer questions from the public, and many of the participants will do live demonstrations. Artwork will also be available for sale.

Fuhrman said that the tour is always held in May, but because of the pandemic, last year's event was moved to September with safety precautions in place. This year's tour will also feature special COVID protocols.

"We all wear masks and have hand sanitizer. The hosts or hostesses make sure there are not a lot of people in (a studio) at one time," Fuhrman said. "We are following all the COVID precautions."

Those who visit Fuhrman's studio in her home will be able to view paintings of historical buildings from Downingtown, Coatesville and West Chester, including the Coatesville Cultural Society. Fuhrman is both a printmaker who creates etchings and a painter, and she will have both mediums on display during the tour.

People who plan to take part in the tour may visit http://www.countystudiotour.com/county-routes, where they will be able to map out their day in advance. Those who visit the artist or studio pages can plan their itinerary by selecting artists and studios they want to see, and the most efficient route will be offered.

In addition, those who visit the site and click on "Find 5 Studios" can have the five closest studios selected just for them.

There are two maps available for downloading, one that covers northern Chester County and another that highlights the studios in southern Chester County. Studios on the northern Chester County map are located in Spring City, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Chester Springs, Exton and Coatesville.

For more details about the tour, to read biographies of the artists and to view photos of their work, visit http://www.countystudiotour.com. More information about the tour is also available by emailing info@countystudiotour.com or searching for "County Studio Tour" on Facebook.