The Vashon Chamber’s Summer Nights street closure of Vashon Highway in the center of town, from Bank Road to 178th, will once again take place in conjunction with the opening of several island art spots, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2.
It’s a time for islanders to sip, snack, and stroll the street enjoying art galleries, restaurants, and mingling with friends and neighbors.
Here are a few of the openings to attend. Be sure to also stop by Swiftwater Gallery, an artists’ cooperative in the center of town that includes the works of dozens of local artists.
Granny’s Attic
Vashon’s favorite thrift shop, Granny’s Attic, will hold a summer sidewalk sale from 5-7 p.m. Clothes and other summery items will be in the sale. Note that the shop will be closed from 3:30-5 p.m. so staff members can prepare for the sale.
Wine Shop Vashon
Lee Hendrickson’s fine art photographs of crystals will be exhibited at Wine Shop Vashon as part of the gallery cruise, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Hendrickson has combined his background as a research scientist at the University of Washington and in the Seattle biotech industry with a degree in biomedical photography, leading to his development of specialized techniques for growing and photographing crystals through the microscope.
“Some crystals have the unique property to behave like a prism,” Hendrickson said. “So as the light then passes through the crystal formations on its way to the camera, it is refracted, and the different colors of the visible spectrum can be revealed. Each crystallization event is unique, so I have infinite patterns and colors to discover.”
The artist, a Vashon resident, will demonstrate his microscopic techniques at the event.
The wine shop, located at 17205 Vashon Hwy SW, offers wine, food, and non-alcoholic beverages.
PSCCU
Local artist Anne Gordon will share her recent work, “Enchanted Isles: A Journey through Magical Realms, at a First Friday reception at Puget Sound Community Credit Union from 6-8 p.m.
As a nurse, sociologist, and photographer, Gordon has experimented with various media to combine photography with image manipulation, creating painterly juxtapositions.
At the reception for her show, she’ll be joined by the musical duo of islander Azula Preston, who is skilled in singing in numerous languages, and Seattle guitarist and composer Leif Totusek, who will play from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Find out more about Totusek’s music and life at leiftotusek.com.
VALISE Gallery
In the second annual show dedicated to the colors of summer, VALISE Gallery members Hita von Mende, Rachel LordKenaga, Dot Cherch, and Jiji Saunders will consider the color blue.
As an encore to their 2023 show “Yello,” the four painters will collaborate on several paintings spotlighting the color blue.
“Our method is spontaneous and rooted in a deep respect and trust for each other as artists,” says Saunders.
“When I think of the color blue, I go to the sky and sea,” said LordKenaga. “With this blue show, I let myself process emotions, feeling my grief and sadness with the colors of blue. Blue is calming and healing for me. Just like saltwater and sky.”
The exhibit will open from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, and will run through Aug. 31. Regular gallery hours are 1-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. VALISE Gallery is located at 17633 Vashon Hwy. SW.
Vashon Center for the Arts
The arts center will be open from 5-8 p.m. for a First Friday showing of its current Summer Arts Fest group exhibit.
Artists include Carolyn Buehl, Michelle Friars, Jeff Good, Kassana Holden, Rachael Osborn, Ilse Reimnitz, Deborah Taylor, and John Woodard. Also showing is the Vashon Potters group show with Marla Smith, Chuck Bonsteel, Sara Barry, David Olsen, Eric Nelsen, Liz Lewis, Lin Holley, Karen Fevold, Mary Rose O’Reilley, Mary Hosick, Roxanne Thayer, Gale Lurie, and Laurie Thorpe.
Visit vashoncenterforthearts.org for more information.
“Cloudy,” by Dot Cherch, will be on view in a show devoted to the color blue at VALISE Gallery. (Courtesy photo)
