The kickoff party for the LBI Artists Open Studio and Gallery Tour was held for the third consecutive year at photographer and encaustic painter Frederick Ballet’s bayside home in North Beach Friday evening, bringing together 17 of the 29 participating artists in the weekend-long event.

Fine artist and first-time guest Guna Mundheim said “it was heavenly to be there,” while the sun was setting over the pale water.

“I think that’s what special about the studio tour,” she said.