Celia Smith, a Lawrence artist, will have her studio as a stop on this year’s Lawrence Art Walk. Her studio is at 907 W. 27th Terrace.

A Painting by Celia Smith. Smith has been in the ArtWalk since it started some 16 years ago.

A painting by Celia Smith, a Lawrence artist. Her studio will be on display for this year’s Lawrence Art Walk. Guide maps for studios can be found at Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., or Community Mercantile, 901 Iowa.

More than 50 area artists will open up their doors to residents this weekend as part of the 16th annual Lawrence ArtWalk. Instead of viewing work in galleries and shows, the public will have the chance to visit the homes and studios of local artists, where the creative process actually takes place.

John Wysocki, director of the event, says the ArtWalk differs from other Lawrence art events because it affords a more intimate setting.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet some of the area’s most talented artists and see their work up close and in the environment in which it was created,” Wysocki says.

The artists are spread throughout the city limits and cover a wide variety of media, including ceramics, drawing, jewelry, painting, photography and mixed media.

From funky to exquisite, residents will have the opportunity to see it all. Kristin Morland, local fiber artist, hand-sews sequins and beads onto fabric using a needle and thread. She says her technique was adapted from the Haitian textile art form of Drapo.

“I studied painting and weaving in school, so this lets me have the best of both worlds,” Morland says. “It has the paint qualities of color, form and texture, but also a rhythmic quality similar to sewing.”

Morland has participated in the event for the past few years. She says she enjoys the ArtWalk because of the personal connections and feedback she can gain from residents who visit her home.

“It’s nice to be able to see people experience my work and be able to gain the immediate feedback, reactions and comments they have,” Morland says.

The ArtWalk originally took place in downtown Lawrence, but in 2004 Wysocki says instead of including art galleries, the event began to focus solely on the artists. Any local artist is eligible to participate in the event, without worrying about screening or judging, and several will be participating for the first time.

However, other artists have participated since the event’s start. Celia Smith, painter, has displayed work for each of the 16 years. Smith receives her inspiration from a variety of sources, including her native country, Spain.

“I try to make sketches from life — things I see — and I like to tell stories with my paintings,” Smith says.

She says the ArtWalk allows people to understand her work better by seeing where and how it is made.

“They experience the ambiance,” Smith says. “I want them to see the beauty and have feeling when they view my work.”

Smith already has her studio set up and ready to welcome visitors. Morland says she is still finishing up her display but plans to have 25-30 pieces up by the weekend.

The ArtWalk is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Guide maps are available at select locations around Lawrence, including the Lawrence Arts Center and Community Mercantile. For more information about featured artists and venues, visit lawrenceartwalk.org or call 865-4254.