Bundle up in your warmest clothes and join your friends and neighbors on the street Friday night for February’s art walk. The second Gallery Cruise of 2012 won’t disappoint: a new gallery joins the scene, Ray Pfortner displays his new book and Islander March Twisdale “occupies” Café Luna. Most galleries are open from 6 to 9 p.m.
A new gallery ignites
The 1930’s garage behind Movie Magic is getting a new life with a whole lot of interior refinishing and the advent of Ignition Studios and Gallery. The large, four-bay garage area now houses the work studios of several Vashon artists and craftspeople.
The gallery will open on First Friday with an exhibit titled, “Spark in the Darkness.” And in keeping with the theme, Ignition owner Lisa Hurst is bringing UMO fire dancers to perform during the gallery cruise. Visitors will also be able to enjoy mexican fare from Zamorana, parked by the gallery, and get warm around fire pits.
Art in the show includes works by Islanders Carol Schwennesen, John Martin, Sharon Hines-Pinion, Roy Kauffman, Tim Carney and Theresa Henson. There will also be some artwork from around the country.
Hurst, a teaching artist, lived on the Island 20 years ago and recently returned. She continues to teach part time at the Art Institute of Seattle. Hurst said that as a welder and collage and encaustic artist, she truly enjoys the process of art making. She plans for Ignition to be a place to explore that process, as well a place to view and purchase work produced on Vashon and beyond.
For more information or to contact Hurst, see www.ignitionartists.com. Ignition is located at 17630 Vashon Highway, behind Movie Magic and the Red Bicycle Bistro.
Vashon through the lens
Celebrated Vashon photographer Ray Pfortner will kick off an exhibit at the Chamber of Commerce with a First Friday book signing. Pfortner recently released his first book “Island Home,” a collection of photographs he has taken on Vashon, and will tell stories behind the photos at Friday’s event.
Pfortner has worked in photography for over 20 years — as educator, agent, representative and photographer — and has taken many now iconic photos on the Island. “Island Home” showcases the beauty of Vashon and the best of years of work. Pfortner’s images are often used to support the preservation of open space and habitat; he received the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust’s 2003 Emma Award for a decade of photographic support.
An artist ‘occupies’ Café Luna
Café Luna’s artist of the month, March Twisdale, is bringing the Occupy Movement to Vashon with what she says is an “art as awareness exhibit.”
Twisdale called her new show a life-changing event with plenty of opportunity for input from the community. The exhibit includes photos from around the world that exhibit the global roots of the Occupy Movement. Visitors will also learn about the most recent events, see informative charts and discover what other Islanders would like to see happen.
Twisdale, who is passionate about the Occupy Movement, said everyone should pay attention to what it stands for and get involved. “Occupy is a positive step forward for those of us who have sat on the sidelines for much too long,” she said.
Feather art and young artist spotlighted at the Blue Heron
Vashon Allied Arts will showcase works of three regional artists, from intricate feather basketry and larger than life oil still lifes to vibrant, textural abstracts. On First Friday the Blue Heron will offer complimentary appetizers and live jazz by horn player Richard Person and pianist Jim Hobson.
C.A. Michel is a Seattle area artist who has had work in exhibitions throughout the country. She coils feathers with linen and wool, in both Native American and African basket-making techniques. Growing up with a seamstress, she says a spiritual thread runs throughout her work.
West Seattle oil painter Cheryl Fugii Zahniser, who is also a former Nordsrom executive, will show large floral still life works. She enjoys the architectural elements that result from painting large. “I think about scale and look for lift, spots of color and shape,” she said.
An emerging Vashon artist, 13 year-old Mary Lawrence, will exhibit new abstract oil and mixed media paintings. Lawrence said she is inspired by literature and everyday life and she paints with anything she doesn’t have to clean up, including wires and Popsicle sticks. “I think most young people today are having a hard time connecting with the world … I find I’m able to ‘jump to the center of things’ through paint,” said Lawrence.
Experience sculpture at VALISE
VALISE Artist Collective and Gallery will present “You understood,” an exhibition of new temporary sculpture by Tom Hughes. The show results from Hughes’ month-long residency at VALISE.
Working primarily in cardboard and house paint, Hughes has constructed a set of works that create spaces for one-to-one viewing. Hughes works with language and simple structures to create sculptural and architectural spaces where the viewer can approach the work one-on-one.
Hughes will be at the gallery Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Also on the gallery cruise
In celebration of the month of love the Vashon Fiber Arts and Textile Collective spotlights a storied art form, the pincushion, in their new show. Collective members bring their own individual interpretations of the pincushion’s colorful history.
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union will continue its exhibition of paintings, photographs, prints and books by the Visionistas. Members include Claudia Hollander-Lucas, Ann Leda Shapiro, Kelly Reese and Linda Sedgley. Live acoustic music will be provided by RedPerl, a band made up of Daryl Redeker and Sarah Perlman.
Silverwood Gallery will feature new heart jewelry by goldsmith Eric Heffelfinger and new work by painter Margaret Tylczak.
Heron’s Nest will show watercolors by Will Forrester. Greg Wessel will sign and sell copies of his new book, “A Rough-Hewn Guide to Vashon and Maury Islands, Washington.”
Raven’s Nest will feature a variety of Native art, including artwork, jewelry and blankets depicting the “Lovebirds ,” the raven and eagle. Master Artist Israel Shotridge will be in attendance to sign prints.
For its first show in its new space, Island Quilter will display more than 20 quilts made from patterns out of Kaffe Fassett’s books. The quilts were created by Barbara Gonce of Lopez Island and Kitty Sorgen of Orcas Island.
The Vashon Senior Center will show absorbing and complex pencil sketches by Darcy Baird.
At Vashon Intuitive Arts, Elsa Hamm, a One Stroke certified painting instructor, will display her work and will be available to sign beginning to advanced artists up for classes. For more information about classes, call (815) 826-091.
Blooms & Things will present a large-scale origami display for Valentine’s Day by Alice Larson and a photographic series by Greg Davila titled “Love Juxtaposed.”
Kat Eggleston will perform at Vashon Bookshop.
The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum will now be open during the First Friday Gallery Cruise. The museum’s current exhibit is “Home of Record: Vashon and the Vietnam War.”
