What a weekend for art on Vashon. Not only will the First Friday Gallery Cruise be in full swing, but Saturday and Sunday will mark the start of the 29th annual holiday edition of the Art Studio Tour.
Running this weekend and next, the tour will provide a chance to visit 41 studios on Vashon, where visitors can shop for holiday gifts and get glimpses of the tucked-away places where the incredible creative output on Vashon takes place. A few studios will also open up for the First Friday gallery walk.
For complete information on the studio tour and a map, visit www.vashonislandartstudiotour.com. Get an early start with Friday night’s art walk, and don’t miss a moment of the artful fun all weekend long.
The artists of Barnworks will kick off their participation in the Holiday Studio Tour with a reception at 6 p.m. Saturday at their exhibition space tucked away in the trees at 12122 S.W. Cove Rd.
The Blue Heron Gallery will host its fifth annual miniature show, showcasing more than 100 pieces by 41 Island artists. Every medium imaginable is included, with one catch — all pieces are smaller than 50 square inches for 2-D work and no bigger than 6 in. x 6 in. x 6 in. for 3-D work. Artists will each show one to five pieces.
Co-curators Janice Mallman and Carol Schwennesen have invited both new and returning artist to the annual show.
At Café Luna, the oil paintings of Island artist Sereno (Gregg Curry) will be on display. This is the artist’s first solo exhibition on Vashon since 2006. The show, “Myths in our Midst,” will feature 15 paintings in a variety of styles that touch on the timelessness of myths.
Duet will show watercolor paintings by local art legend Michael Spakowsky.
The Hardware Store Restaurant will feature the art studio tour work of painter Pam Ingalls, whose show is called “Mostly Italy.” Most of the new paintings are of clotheslines and table clothes. A few paintings from Ingalls’ recent trip to India will also be in the show. Island singer/songwriter Daryl Redeker will perform during the Friday night reception. The Hardware Store will also have gift cards, house-made jam and mugs with Vashon Island Roasterie gift bags for sale.
The Little House will showcase jewelry by Islander designer Diane Fox, owner of DM Fox Design. Fox crafts wearable art made of semi-precious stones and beads she finds at international gem shows and on frequent travels to Europe and Asia.
Maxwell Family Medicine will celebrate its opening in suite 202 of the Cunningham Building on Friday with an exhibit of photographs by John Anderson. Anderson’s show, “Riparian Rhythms,” features works that show water moving, sliding, jumping, and crashing down mountainsides and over rocks and trees. Another chance to see the show will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. At this open house, refreshments will be served and there will be a chance to win valuable prizes. The office will also be open Saturday evening after the tree lighting ceremony.
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union will feature new works by artist Anne Gordon and live music by the world music duo Hejira.
Raven’s Nest will feature a collection of Southwest and Northwest vintage jewelry, including Navajo, Hopi and Zuni turquoise and silver jewelry. To consign a piece of vintage Native American jewelry to the show, call 567-5826.
Silverwood Gallery will celebrate its anniversary with the 16th edition of “Shake the Tree,” a show that will include new earrings from Eric Heffelfinger, new tiles from Joanne Bohannon and new paintings from Margaret Tlyczak and Ted Kutscher.
The Senior Center on Bank Road will show “Visions of Intent,” a show of watercolors by students of Geri Peterson. Crafter’s tables will also be set up for the show.
VALISE will end 2011 with a group show, “g-squared.” Each member artist has invited artists from the community to show with them. Guest artists include Shahreyar Ataie, Robert Campbell, Britt Freda, Lisa Hurst, Renee Marceau, Hans Nelsen, Jayne Norton, John Overton, Kristen Reitz-Green, Kathryn Schipper and Kate Thompson. Member artists include Elizabeth Conner, John Martin, Jiji Saunders, Carol Schwennesen, Gay Schy, Heather Timken and Brian Van Buren.
Vashon Intuitive Arts will exhibit collages by Evelyn Kiggins, an artist who creates her work with found objects, word messages and other visual images. Gary Kiggins, a percussionist, vocalist and songwriter, will perform light jazz. His new CD, based on songs of the birds of the Northwest, will be available. Also featured will be local artist Jacqui Lown, who will present prints and originals of her oils and watercolors.
Vashon Textile and Fiber Arts Collective, located in the former home of Books by the Way, will have its grand opening. Participating artists include Laurel Boyajin, Kim MacDonald, Anya Weil, Carla deCrona, Sharon Schoen, Jan Staehli, Suzanna Leigh, Linda Stemer, Marnie Nordling, Heather Flanagan and Jenni Wilke. More members are being sought. Work includes quilts, hand-spun and dyed yarn, silk accessories, housewares made from repurposed fabrics, women’s clothing, woven goods and upcycled clothing for kids and teens.
The collective also plans to offer a wide range of services, including studio space, sewing and crafting classes, sewing machine rental and wardrobe evaluation. Members split the cost of the space and get 100 percent of the proceeds from their sales.
Waterworks Studio, at 7012 S.W. 240th Street on Maury Island, will have a preview party for the studio tour on Friday night. This year, the studio will feature 16 artists, showing fine art paintings, prints and pastels, Christmas ornaments, photography, exquisite clothing, kid’s wear and toys, unique jewelry, ceramics, handmade soaps and all things lavender.
