Staff report

Two Bainbridge Island artist studios will open their doors to the public Aug. 11-13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the BI Working Studios Summer Show & Sale.

The show includes glass artists Diane Bonciolini and Gregg Mesmer of Mesolini Glass Studio and newcomers to the group, furniture, lighting and object designers Chelsea and James Minola of Grain. Both studios are made up of couples who live and work together.

Chelsea Minola of Grain grew up on BI and met her husband and business partner James Minola in graduate school at the Rhode Island School of Design before returning to the island to start their business in 2008. The majority of their clients are architects and interior designers from larger cities such as New York and Los Angeles.

“We’ve been wanting to figure out a better way to connect to islanders as not many know we are out here doing what we do. Working more locally would be better for our environmental footprint, keep more resources in our region and just be more meaningful for us as people who are deeply committed to this community.”

Mesolini Glass Studio has been working in glass on BI since 1977. Besides their familiar line of dishware that can be found at the BI Museum of Art and Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, their work can be seen in local schools and other public art installations. The couple also do commissioned projects and teach at the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network.

Founded in 2013 by artists and woodworkers, the BI Working Studios’ mission is to educate, inspire and provide an opportunity for people of all interests to experience art and artists within their creative studio environments.

The organization has a winter show Dec. 1-3. The self-guided event is free. A map of the studios is available online at biworkingstudios.com.