Head to the galleries on Friday for another one of the Island’s monthly gallery cruises. From Vashon town to Burton, the Island’s small galleries and other venues will be hopping. Most of the venues are open from 6 to 9 p.m., and some will include live music.
Blooms & Things
Water is the underlying theme of a photographic exhibit at Blooms & Things by Island photographer Lori Kay. Kay grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and moved to Vashon 20 years ago, making water a central part of her life, she says.
A criminal defense lawyer who represented people accused of murder, among other serious crimes, she said she retired after a devastating illness and began to take pictures as a way “to find a new starting point.” She was in Ray Pfortner’s Shoot to Show class last winter.
The Blue Heron
In preparation for its annual auction, Vashon Allied Arts will unveil the 145 works that will be a part of its two-day extravaganza Sept. 23 and 24. Visit the gallery Friday night to see works by the VAA’s six commissioned artist — Gretchen Hancock, Art Hansen, Odin Lonning, Gus Schairer, Nancy Sipple and Elaine Summers.
This is Islanders’ opportunity to also preview the works by dozens of other local artists that will be auctioned at the event, called “Hooray for Hollywood! Lights, Camera, Auction!” The annual fundraiser, VAA’s biggest, provides funds for a host of VAA programs as well as scholarships for Islanders who can’t afford VAA classes.
Tickets are $45 for Friday night, which will include a buffet by Tom French, director of the Experience Food Project and the creative force behind Vashon High School’s makeover of its school lunch program. On Saturday night, tickets are $120 and include dinner catered by The Hardware Store Restaurant.
Café Luna
Painter Allison Crain Trundle will display her paintings at Café Luna through September. Her painting are described as full of light, with subject matter that often comes from walking in the woods on Maury Island or from watching hummingbirds hover over fuchsia plants in her yard. “I love the solace of painting and the exuberance when an image comes through the paint from something muddled to something tangible and often illuminating,” she says.
Heron’s Nest
Fashion accessories, anyone? Nancy Scott-Wienker and Roxy Hathaway, who work together under the clever business name ReGenr8, will unveil their fashion handbags.
The two women have worked together for seven years, using what they call “pre-existing excess” to create large totes and handbags from a variety of materials. Scott-Wienker prefers creating her own handbag fabrics by collaging various textures together in a weaving and layering technique. Hathaway prefers clean graphic elements, working with color, leather and unique hardware.
Sunshine and Ideas
The new gallery in the Parker Plaza will feature a debut show by photographer Richard Kasden — a collection of shots of Mount Rainier in color and black and white, all taken from his home near Point Robinson. He calls the show “Holy Moly Mountain Moments.”
“Being able to live with an exquisite view of the mountain while working from home has put me in a position to capture these ‘holy moly’ moments,” he says.
VALISE
“Imagining the future we want,” a collection of work curated by artist Beverly Naidus, will be on display at VALISE in September. The works in the exhibit, which include pieces from the farthest corners of the world as well as from friends and neighbors on Vashon Island, were gathered via her Facebook networks, she says, and all submissions were accepted. Participants were not required to be professional artists. Contributors were invited to create an image and/or text that focuses on a reconstructive vision of the future, she says.
“In these times of global economic and ecological distress, we will need the imaginations of all who are willing and eager to be focused on the world we want to be living in,” she says.
Naidus is an internationally recognized artist who’s been creating what she calls socially engaged work for over 30 years.
Other First Friday events
Photography by Biffle French, who wrote “Paddling the Waters of Vashon,” will be displayed at Books by the Way. Many of the shots were taken from his kayak.
The Hardware Store Restaurant will feature the work of Robert Henry Sturgill, a street photographer and self-proclaimed flaneur (a person who strolls aimlessly).
The Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union will display paintings on silk by Suzanna Leigh.
Silverwood will host Ted Kutcher’s annual one-man exhibit of new oil and egg tempera paintings featuring local scenery and Island residents.
Two Wall Gallery will feature Kim Saunders’ quilts, which are made from vintage corduroy and velveteens.
At Wings, bird photography by Greg Davila will be on display.
