Local artist Marsha Heidbrink was passionate about art.

“She was a quiet force, a strong woman,” said artist Angela Kuprion. “She really poured her heart and soul into it.”

Heidbrink died in June at age 64 after battling cancer. One of the events she started was the World’s Greatest Studio Tour and Art Sale, which will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 19 locations in Bowling Green.

“None of this would have happened without her,” Capitol Arts Alliance gallery director Lynn Robertson said. “She was out there showing her artwork, showing everyone else’s artwork and giving opportunities.”

Chris Radus, an artist new to the tour and sale, agreed.

“She had a wonderful spirit. She used it to further everyone’s participation,” he said. “It’s one of her many legacies in the Bowling Green art world. It’s sort of like a tribute to her.”

Proceeds go to support the visual arts. Past recipients have included the Capitol Arts Center, Western Kentucky University’s student art show and the U.S. Bank Celebration of the Arts.

“It’s an encouragement for artists who win an award in competition,” Robertson said. “It feels good to present awards.”

Now in its 16th year, the tour and sale features more people in home studios, Robertson said.

“Usually we’ve been congregating more downtown,” she said. “It’s so much better to have people come into the environment in which you work. They can see how you work and where you work.”

The artwork is of high quality, Robertson said.

“The one thing we strive for is maintaining originality. It’s all professional,” she said. “We’re proud of it. We’re pretty proud of the mix of paintings and jewelry.”

Radus will show 3-D work in metal, wood and paper.

“It’s loosely called sculpture. I finally found something I was good at,” he said, laughing. “I was always building stuff. It kind of took more of an art turn than a construction turn.”

Although this is Radus’ first year participating in the tour and sale, he has been aware of it for a long time.

“I have a partner in life who’s an artist also. She’s been doing art a lot longer than I have,” he said. “She’s well-connected with the sale.”

Kuprion is making a reappearance at the tour and sale after being away from it for a couple of years. She does mostly oil portraits. Her work with Portraits Inc. of New York and Birmingham, Ala., has kept her busy. She plans to show charcoal nudes and faces, oil paints and still life work.

“Art enriches the community. When I was in school, there was no arts in school at all,” she said. “I wish I could’ve found this before later in life.”

Art is a great heirloom for the family and makes a great gift, Kuprion said.

“What a great thing, to be able to pass down something that you painted,” she said. “A handmade thing is so much better than something you go out and pick out. There’s so much meaning to it.”

World’s Greatest Studio Tour and Art Sale locations

915 College St.

Spencer’s Coffeehouse

• Jennifer Sims, works on paper and paintings

• Jess Ray Sims, paintings

400 E. Main Ave.

Pushin Buildings Artists’ Studios

• Laura McGee, hand-painted original silk scarves and wall hangings, silk painting demonstration

• Myra Dwyer, paintings

416 E. Main Ave.

Capitol Arts Center

• David LeNoir, woodworking, turned wine stoppers, bowls, weed jars, pens and more

• Suzanne Renfrow, wood-fired ceramics, functional and sculptural

• Gayle Novick, handmade jewelry, art prints and note cards

• Bill Van Tassel, hand-blown glass

428 E. Main Ave.

The Pots Place Co-op Studio and Gallery

• Helen Hooper-Hirst, Bob Brigl, Laura Bain-Selbo, Norman O’Neal and Betsy Sheppard, potters

513 E. Main Ave.

• Alice Gatewood Waddell, paintings, mixed media and jewelry

515 E. 10th Ave.

ArtsACCESS Gallery

• Delaire Rowe, painting, mixed media, note cards and prints

1121 E. 14th Ave.

Rickman Pottery

• Mitchell Rickman, functional stoneware pottery, including place settings, casseroles, pitchers, bowls, mugs, etc.

1325 Walnut Way

• Angela Kuprion, oil paintings, charcoal and portraits

1355 Ellis Place

• Michael Kenney, wood turner and woodcrafts, stained glass and pottery

1208 Lois Lane

Chris Radus, 3-D work in metal, wood and paper

Lynne Ferguson, painting in oil, acrylic and watercolor, drawing, collage, works on paper and mixed media

3415 Smallhouse Road

• Mildred Wallace, “Cosette Designs” by Millie, unusual handcrafted jewelry using precious metals, semiprecious gemstones, freshwater pearls and Austrian crystal

2409 Tam O’Shanter Court

• Leslie Nichols, text-based 2-D art in several mediums including prints created on a manual typewriter

• Michael Nichols, drawings and paintings using various techniques, fresco, silverpoint, oil painting and pastel

261 Lamplighter Drive

• Claude Robertson, oils and mixed media

• Lynn Robertson, oils, pastels and mixed media

128 H.E. Johnson Road

Studio G

• Karen Genter

1909 Lyda Ave.

• Kay Zoretic, silver and copper, copper enameling and copper and silver etching, jewelry made using many different smithing and fabrication techniques, free gift packaging

1830 Hartland Court

• Peg Truman, drawings, paintings, prints, photos and not paper

917 Wrenwood Drive

• David Jones, paintings

• Kim M. Jones, paintings

• Jacqui Lubbers, weaving

4089 Cemetery Road

• Colleen Hathaway, quilt artist

• Susan Lackey, handmade jewelry, sterling, copper, brass in unique compositions

210 Carter Lane

• Rhonda Smith, oil paintings and prints