Exhibits opening Friday include Bruce Morser retrospective

April’s First Friday gallery cruise will include opening receptions for new exhibits including a major retrospective of the work of local illustrator Bruce Morser at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Other shows — at Swiftwater, Windermere Gallery, VALISE, and Vashon Made — spotlight the work of other beloved local artists.

While you’re out on the town, enjoy the lengthening daylight and blossoms of spring, and stop by other local shops and eateries to make the evening complete.

Swiftwater Gallery

0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%

00:00

The cooperative gallery, in the center of Vashon town, features the work of more than 50 local artists.

VALISE

Throughout April, VALISE Gallery will present “Honeymoon on Mars” (The VALISE Travel Show) — an exhibit celebrating being citizens of the World and Galaxy. In addition to including artwork of all styles, the show will feature suitcases transformed into art pieces, and a community travel journal with space for anyone to add their own stories, photos, and drawings of their experiences from around the world.

There will be a giant spontaneous painting created by Hita VonMende, Rachel LordKenaga, Jiji Saunders and Dot Cherch, and a VALISE cartoon caption contest (like The New Yorker magazine contest) using one of Bill Jarcho’s cartoons, with a prize for the winner.

Participating artists are George Wright, Lenard Yen, Hita VonMende, Pascale Judet, Bill Jarcho, Rachel LordKenaga, Sharon Shaver, Jiji Saunders, Dot Cherch and Gregory Burnham and Stephen Schildbach.

“Honeymoon on Mars” will open from 1-9 p.m. Friday, April 4, and run through April 29. The gallery’s regular hours are 1-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Vashon Center for the Arts

Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA) will present “Bruce Morser: A Retrospective,” a landmark exhibition showcasing the depth and breadth of Morser’s 45-year career as an artist and illustrator.

Opening with a reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 4, the show marks the artist’s first retrospective exhibition, the largest collection of his work ever displayed in one place, and the launch of his first book — “Memories of Castle Island,” a magical storybook detailing his experiences building sandcastles with his now-grown daughter, Madeline, when she was a child.

For over 45 years, Morser has used the simplest of tools — a sharp pencil — to create an extraordinary body of work. From intricate technical illustrations and photorealistic dry-brush paintings to expansive 3D installations, his art is a conversation — an exploration of what we see in the world.

“Bruce Morser is a true Vashon treasure — an artist whose formidable illustration career has brought to life everything from coffee cups to robots to buffed biceps,” said Lynann Politte, VCA’s gallery director. “Whether creating for top brands or painting watercolors on cross-country bike treks, his creativity knows no bounds. This retrospective honors his remarkable journey—one that is both far-reaching and deeply rooted in our community.”

The show features six major phases of Morser’s career, from hyper-detailed technical illustrations to photo-realistic dry-brush paintings, conceptual 3D installations, and beyond. His journey has included commissioned work for NASA, National Geographic, Apple, and more, yet his art remains deeply personal—an evolving conversation about observation, creativity, and the power of “a zillion little lines.”

Asked why he is doing this show, Morser said, “I guess I want to share another story. My careers have been an odd collision of visual arts, fascination with how everything works, a strong impulse to tell stories, oh … and about 8,000 sharp pencils. I’ve been at this for over 45 years, and it seemed like a good time to tell it.”

What does he hope visitors will see, learn, or be inspired by? Morser recalled a moment that continues to resonate with him: “Years ago, a 2nd grade class was visiting my project-jammed studio and shop. After all the usual questions, right before leaving, a very shy kid took a final look and asked, ‘Is this work? Or is this fun?….. or is work fun?’ I had to take the rest of the afternoon off to think about it. Maybe that’s what I hope visitors will wonder about themselves too.”

As part of the exhibition, Bruce Morser will present a talk on creativity, “If I Only Had a Brain,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at VCA. Through a mix of imagery and storytelling, Morser will share his insights into creativity — what it is, why it’s hardwired into all of us, and why he considers it “one of the two best things in life.”

The talk will also include the debut of a film version of Morser’s book, “Memories of Castle Island,” set to music and video edited by Michael Monteleone.

The show runs through April 27. Gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information and tickets to the May 16 talk, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.

Vashon Made

Beloved local potter, Liz Lewis, will be the featured artist at Vashon Made, beginning with a reception from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 4.

Since 1986, Lewis has focused on developing a vibrant line of wheel-thrown earthenware pottery for daily use. The forms are intentionally simple and functional, designed for easy stacking in cupboards. The collection includes brightly painted, food-safe plates, bowls, mugs and tumblers, platters, bakers, pitchers, teapots and vases.

Each piece is unique yet related, encouraging mix-and-match combinations on the dinner table. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary designs and a focus on functionality, this collection celebrates the modern role of pottery while embracing the artist’s love for color and craftsmanship.

Anyone who purchases an item by Lewis on April 4 at Vashon Made will be entered into a raffle for the prize of a pitcher and four tumblers to be drawn on April 5. One coupon per person.

Regular hours for Vashon Made, located at 9922 SW Bank Rd, are 12-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Windermere Gallery

An exhibition of local artist Brian Brenno’s Vashon-centric works, made from cut up pop and beer cans nailed to plywood, is now on view at Windermere Vashon’s gallery, with a reception planned for the late afternoon and early evening of Friday, April 4.

The show was also on view at the gallery throughout March.

Known widely for his work as a glass artist, Brenno started his series of Vashon cut-outs in 2011, inspired by contemporary folk art he had seen in exhibits in Mia Gallery, in Seattle. To his surprise, the owner of the the gallery, the late Mia McEldowney, who lived on Vashon, bought one of the first pieces of this type of artwork that Brian created. A second purchase gave him additional confidence to continue with the medium, he said.

Brenno’s life has been steeped in the history, sights and sounds of Vashon — he is a fourth-generation islander. In the series on view at Windermere, he explores iconic island images — ferry traffic, Vashon’s views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympics, quaint scenes of Burton and Quartermaster Harbor, the porch at Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, and more.

Windermere Vashon, located at 17429 Vashon Hwy SW, is regularly open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

Sharon Shaver’s “Martian Cats Cruising Earth Looking for Martian Cats” is included in VALISE Gallery’s April exhibit. (Courtesy photo)

Tumblers and a pitcher by island potter Liz Lewis will be raffled off to anyone who purchases a work by the potter on April 4, at Vashon Made. (Courtesy photo)

An image from Bruce Morser’s recently published book, “Memories of Castle Island” which will be launched as part of a major retrospective of his work at Vashon Center for the Arts. (Courtesy photo)