Vashon Center for the Arts’ two-month-long Vashon Summer Arts Fest rolls on, with a new batch of exhibits slated to open this week. A slew of activites, demonstrations and special events will also enliven the Fest on both Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18 and 19.
Two current exhibits will continue through Aug. 19, including a group show by Vashon Makerspace and Connie Conroy’s installation of a transparent Japanese Tea House. A large group show of ceramic artists, curated by Jon-Eric Schafer and Lin Holly and currently on view, will close Aug. 26.
New exhibits opening Friday, Aug. 17 will be:
Alisara Martin’s “Low Tide Local,” including screen prints and drawings inspired by the little dramas of everyday life.
Apple Cox’s “Whimsey and Courage,” including paintings, limited edition prints and cards that use traditional and contemporary media.
Brette Flora’s “A Vibrant Pallet,” small paintings and mixed media work showing the creative mind of the artist who is a member of Vibrant Pallet, an organization that serves adults with developmental, mental and physical disabilities, and supports their artistic pursuits.
Dewain Gauntlett’s “The People, Art and Community of Burning Man,” showcasing photographs taken at the yearly gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
Gordon Quinlan’s “The Human Face Divine,” including graphic drawings, photography and oils created to reveal the depth of human character and emotion.
Heidi Anderson’s “Ceramics and Drawings,” including sculptures and graphite pencil drawings exploring personal narratives that connect with Vashon and nature.
John Lucas’ and Susan Lynch’s “Territorial Behavior: Real & Imagined Fears,” including paintings, drawings and poetry that express how we may see ourselves apart from the animal kingdom.
Kristen Reitz-Green’s “Big,” an exploration of scale and creating paintings of real subject matter.
Marcia McKinzie’s watercolor batik paintings and pastel impasto paintings inspired by the ideas of beauty and connection with others.
Special participatory events connected to the Arts Fest this weekend will include a Blank Canvas Dance Party for all ages from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, on the VCA patio. Participants should wear something white that is paintable with markers, non-toxic paint and brushes supplied by VCA. Funky dance tunes supplied by DJ Whitmore will add to the fun.
A ceramic artist demonstration complete with clay-making tables will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Various decorative and glazing techniques will be demonstrated by Karen Fevold, Lin Holley, Mary Hosik, Liz Lewis, Gale Lurie and Jon-Eric Schafer, and then fired in raku kilns at VCA.
Fest-goers can also attend a screen print party and print their own souvenir of the Arts Fest with artist Alisara Martin from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. Martin holds an MFA in print media from Cranbrook Academy of Art and has 12 years of experience teaching art to kids and adults.
