The Napa Valley is known for its fine wine and cuisine, but one valley asset often overlooked is its art. This weekend and on Nov. 4 and 5, participating members of Arts Council of Napa Valley open their studios and homes for Open Studios, a free, self-guided event that involves 78 artists in 53 sites.

“Both the famous and undiscovered artists of this valley fly under the talent radar of winemakers and chefs,” said Jody Stathakis, owner of Right Brain Marketing, which is helping the Arts Council publicize Open Studios. “So they are eager to show their art and discuss it. On the tour, we have famous artists such as Gordon Huether, whose work is in museums and installations all over the country. We have a world famous bronze sculptor Carl Ciliax, who is sharing a studio with well-known oil painter Beverly Wilson and Marjorie Shachnow, who fashions jewelry using mostly 20 carat gold. Where else can you look at sculpture, paintings and jewelry and meet their creators at the same time?”

Impressionist painter Don Hatfield will also be on the Open Studios tour. “Don lives in a cool house on Dry Creek Road,” said Stathakis. “This is a rare opportunity to see his work. He used to be under a contract with a corporation that owned the rights to his art, but now he’s free of that contract.”

Interesting locations abound on the tour, such as ceramist Karen Winograde’s studio in the middle of a Beringer vineyard off Big Ranch Road. Although the largest concentration of artists is in the city of Napa, five Open Studios are in Calistoga, and six are in St. Helena, along with two in Angwin and a sprinkling of them from Rutherford to Yountville.

“Watercolorist Anne Pentland is one of the artists in Calistoga who has her studio in her home,” said Stathakis. “She, like many of the artists, will have a range of art from adorable cards to posters, so if people enjoy her work, they don’t have to feel as though they need to make a big investment right then. Purchasing art directly from the artist gives you the satisfaction of making that connection and learning the story behind the art.”

Many of the artists have participated in Open Studios in the past. It is the sixth Open Studios for Barbara Stafford, who weaves rugs from the wool and hair of animals such as sheep, goats and bison. Her work has been seen in major exhibits around the country, and her first Open Studios customer six years ago was art collector Rene di Rosa. Stafford was one of many artists to be impacted by the flood this year, finding her loom beneath 3 feet of water. Fortunately, she was able to make repairs and continue using it.

Another veteran of Open Studios is illustrator Suzy Sansome. After her first Open Studios event, a patron who liked her work spread the word about her, and she was hired to design a wine label for Adler Fels Winery. Sansome won a silver medal at the 2003 International Wine Competition in San Francisco for the wine label she designed for Adler Fels’ Big Ass Cab. She also has a variety of items for sale in various price ranges so that visitors can leave with a piece of original art.

Arts Council Program Manager Kristina Young is proud of Open Studios.

“We’ve held Open Studios for 17 or 18 years now, and each year it improves,” said Young. “It’s such a great chance to see how the artists do their work in places that aren’t open to the public the rest of the year. It’s very educational.

“It’s an opportunity to buy directly from the artists rather than paying a typical gallery commission,” said Young. “We accept cash, check or credit cards.”

The kick-off artists’ reception and “Magnanimous Magnums Wine Auction” was held at St. Supéry winery Friday. Artwork by each participating Open Studios artist is on display there.

Open Studios is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend day. The same artist studios will be open both weekends. Maps and catalogs are available at Chambers of Commerce throughout the valley, along with the Conference and Visitors Bureau, libraries, stores and lodgings. Further information and maps are also available on the Arts Council Web site, artscouncilnapavalley.org.