Norm Williams is no stranger to the public eye. The local carver and sculptor has created many public works – including one of the popular downtown Abbotsford art benches and the Abbotsford Unity Statue – and his creations are in galleries and art shops across the province.

Like many artists, his works may be public, but his studio is normally private. That will change next weekend.

Williams is one of 11 artists who have agreed to take part in the second annual Artist Studio Tour set for Aug. 22.

The tour, sponsored by Abbotsford Spirit of BC (ASBC) and The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford, features artists working in a wide range of mediums from acrylics to watercolours, and ceramics to sculpture.

Williams has taken part in studio tours before, but lost interest after noticing that some artists were “fixing up their studios” and using them to showcase their products.

“You can see art works at any craft show. Studio tours should be something a little different,” he says.

And this tour will offer a unique glimpse inside the private creative world of artists. The participants have agreed to open up their sanctuaries to let people see where the creative process takes place.

“I’m looking forward to this show. Artists will have items for sale, of course, but it won’t be set up like a store.”

The artists will be on site to talk to the public and answer questions about their set-up, tools and the creative process.

Visitors to Williams’ studio will get a sneak peak at a new piece of public art that will be officially unveiled in Steveston at the end of August.

“It’s three life-size, bronze figures.”

The figures, which represent three elements of the fishing industry, were more than 30 years in the making.

Back in the 1960s, Williams lived in Steveston and often thought the area was a great place for a piece of art to tell the history.

“My friend would write a book and I’d do an art piece – that’s what we talked about.”

But it never came to fruition.

Fast forward to the 1990s and, while the book was removed from the equation, the idea of a public art piece came up again.

In 1993, he presented the idea to council. They liked the concept, but didn’t have the funds. Once again, the project died on the drawing board. Williams thought that was the end but in 2002 the Richmond town planner gave him a call.

“I was shocked. I guess they kept the concept all those years and finally decided to go ahead with it.”

A few more years of organizing and funding had to pass by but on Aug. 30 the work will be unveiled in front of the old cannery/museum at the Steveston waterfront.

“The three figures represent a fisherman, a tenderman and a cannery worker.”

The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m.

For those who can’t make the unveiling, the studio tour will be an opportunity to see how the figures will look.

Other artists who will be participating in the 2009 Studio Tour include Melodie Douglas, Sherry Dunn, Chris Friesen, Bente Hansen, Pat Maertz, Barb Pearson, Dianna Ponting, Carol Portree, Ursula E. Rettich and Herman Venema.

The artists’ studios are open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception to follow at The Reach starting at 4 p.m.

Purchase of a $15 passport provides entry to the studios and the reception. For information call the ASBC at 604-850-7161 or The Reach at 604-864-8087.