Jewelry and lapidary artist Evgeny Zidarov, left, talks about a piece of glass art made by his wife, Tatyana Zidarov, which was on sale at Tour Stop 2 on the Over the Mountain Studio Tour Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Art enthusiasts from throughout the region and beyond flocked to the 35th annual Over the Mountain Studio Tour in Jefferson County over the weekend.

The self-guided tour of artist studios throughout the county grew by two tour stops this year, which was cause for excitement for many participants and attendees alike.

“Over the Mountain Studio Tour is a true, cooperative arts collective,” said nature-inspired jewelry artist Roselyn Mendez. “This year, there were 11 stops and 22 artists. I think we have six or seven new artists, which is really exciting!”

Mendez, who is a Shepherdstown resident, showed her work at Tour Stop 1 in Harpers Ferry, which is the studio of encaustic artist and sculptor Anne Rule-Thompson. They were joined in the studio by a third artist, watercolorist Mikkey Tarantino, who had returned to the tour this year, after a few years away from it.

“The welcoming committee of the tour knew me and reached out to me, encouraging me to come back! So I gave in,” Tarantino said. “I used to always do the tour from my home studio, but I have since moved, so it made sense to join one of the other tour stops.”

Jen Janus, of Hagerstown, Md., points out a glass art piece to her partner, Chris Morrison, at Tour Stop 2 on the Over the Mountain Studio Tour on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Tarantino said she had taken a break from the tour, due to her becoming a caregiver for her ailing husband. Since his recent passing, a lot of things have changed in her life, but at least one thing has remained the same — her desire to share her art with others.

“I love for people to see my work, instead of just me alone in my house, looking at it! It’s fun, just to watch people’s reactions to it,” Tarantino said. “I’ve always been a colorist — that’s my thing. The bolder and the brighter, the more I like it!”

At Tour Stop 3 in Shepherdstown, floral artist Jeni Peterson and her staff could be found welcoming tour participants into the Westvirjeni floral design studio, to view their dried floral centerpieces, earrings and ornaments. This was the second year-in-a-row that the business has been a part of the tour, thanks to having a good experience at last year’s tour.

“It was so nice, to be able to engage with the community and let people know that we’re here!” Peterson said. “So many people were like, ‘Oh! We didn’t know that you’re here!’ Which is interesting, since many of the people who come on the tour live right down the road.”

She noted that a number of attendees also come to the tour from outside of the region. Multiple people came in from Baltimore, Md. and even as far away as Ohio, to participate in this year’s tour. This fact ensures that the tour not only benefits local artists, but also helps out the entire community.

Encaustics artist and sculptor Anne Rule-Thompson, center, talks about her work with a couple of Over the Mountain Studio Tour attendees on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

“The tour is so great to all of the local businesses,” Peterson said. “I can’t tell you how many people have been like, ‘Oh! Where should we go to lunch?’ And, based on where they’re going on the tour, I can recommend for them to try out something in that area.”

Art lovers wander around Westvirjeni boutique-style floral and event business on Saturday afternoon, during the Over the Mountain Studio Tour. Tabitha Johnston

Art lovers view some of the glass artwork at Rock Fusion Studio on the Over the Mountain Studio Tour on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston