On May 17 and 18 the gates are open for locals to check out featured artists throughout Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, and San Martin.

Silicon Valley Open Studios 2003 has already visited northern Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, and after visiting south Santa Clara County the project will have presented the work of more than 400 local artists to the public eye. Artists exhibit an immense range of work, from oils and acrylics on canvas to ceramics, mosaics, blown glass, handmade books, photography, stone sculpture, calligraphy, digital art, metal sculpture, and quilts.

Through a self-guided tour accompanied by a tour map, the hope of Open Studios is to unearth the powerful talent lying low in the midst of a coffee and computer culture. Many artists will serve refreshments and offer demonstrations on their artistic process, while others will offer up pieces for sale. Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 408.367.7255 or visit www.svopenstudios.org.

Tour maps are available in Saratoga at the Villa Montalvo Art Center, The Mitre Box, Greenleaf Gallery, and Saratoga Framing Company.

Saratoga artists participating in Open Studios 2003 include Patricia A. Allen, Argyle Beardsley, Curtis Boyle, Yun-Ying Chen, Noreen Christopher, Ruth Rainie Condit, Esther Daniel, Sherie L. Drake, Kay Duffy, Elaine Frenett, Diane Giampaoli, Rosemarie Anne Gorman, Janet Greenleaf, Nacera Guerin, Oneida Hammond, Carolyn S. Hofstetter, Jane R. Hofstetter, Edith Kallman, Barbara Koberlein, John Kurtyka, Andrew Liu, Hongmei L. Low, Judith M. Marshall, Linda Hansen Mau, Gayelynn Miller, Bette Paris Mohr, Maryln Mori, Felicia Peters Pollock, Elaine Revell, Michiko Shimoda, Sandra Smith-Dugan, Jerome A. Smith, Pat Suggs, Sue Toorans, Christy Tsai, Jeanette Turkus, Rick Waltonsmith, Jean Warren, Judy L. Welsh, and Nancy J. Wulff.