People interested in viewing artwork, meeting those who create it and learning about the artistic process are invited to take part in the fourth annual Hershey Hummelstown Art Studio Tour. As part of the event, 13 artists will open their doors to the public on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered at each location, and select participants will offer promotional activities such as giveaways, door prizes or a silent action.

During the free driving tour, visitors will be able to chat with the artists in their home studios. "(The artists) are free to talk and to answer questions, explain how the work was done and what the artwork (represents). Some could be doing demonstrations," said potter and watercolor artist Darlene Ferrier, who is one of the participating artists.

She noted that the tour features a core group, but additional local artists are added each year. "This is an active arts community. We know each other. Sometimes we approach them and sometimes they approach us. They have taken the tour and want to be a part of it," she said, noting that all artists must live in Hershey or Hummelstown to participate.

Ferrier's work will be featured at Jamie Juliana's Phoenix Pottery Studio. "If the weather is really nice, Juliana the potter has a wraparound porch and she will have (items) displayed on her porch," Ferrier noted.

Another tour stop is the Art on Derry Co-Op, located at the home studio of stained glass and fused glass artist Laird Morgan, who also repairs stained glass. Art on display at the location will include stained and fused glass, jewelry, photography, woodwork, handmade soaps and oil and acrylic paintings. "He (provides a place for) other artists who do not have a means of displaying their work," Ferrier explained.

Each of the artists will have items available for purchase. "The people who do the watercolors usually have cards made. You don't have to spend a lot for a large piece of artwork," noted Ferrier, adding, "People can also purchase Christmas gifts."

In addition those already mentioned, other artists on the tour are James Arthur Davis, photography; Barbara James, sculptural mixed media, watercolors and pen and ink; Sharon Jenne, original still life and landscape paintings; Dale Kelley, mixed media and dry brush watercolor; Ben LaDieu, black ink drawings/paintings; Marilyn LaDieu, acrylic paintings; Sue Ann Myers, o il, watercolorand mineral paint on porcelain and wildlife subjects; Jill Peckelun, oil paintings; Daniel Petruzzi, oil, watercolor, chalk and mixed media; and Archana Sehgal, oil, watercolor and acrylics.

"(The tour) is a lot of fun, and you meet a lot of nice people," said Ferrier, crediting local art teachers for creating the local artist community. "There are a lot of creative people in this area. Along the way, there were a lot of good art teachers ... and they provided really good instruction."

For more information about the tour, to download a map or to learn about the artists, visit http://www.hersheyhummelstownartstudiotour.com or http://www.facebook.com/hersheyhummelstownartstudiotour.