It’s time for the art cognoscenti to partake of a new batch of Island art shows. Here’s a list of July’s gallery cruise happenings, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 2.
The Blue Heron Gallery will exhibit work in three different mediums by three women artists — photography by Islander Shelley Hanna, forged copper sculpture by Deby Harvey and oil painting by Tove Pisarelle. The opening will also feature live music with pianist Jack Barbash, percussionist Fletcher Andrews and bassist Steve Meyer.
Books by the Way will exhibit photography by Islander Jose Marquez.
Islander Jeanne Robinson will have an exhibit of her photographs at Café Luna in July. The show, called “Traveler’s Reflections,” focuses on people, landscapes and cityscapes.
Duet will exhibit “Doggone Vashon,” a show of Lenard Yen’s dog portraits.
Giraffe will show cotton textiles from Mali.
Good Merchandise will be open to show off wares by 78 artists, and Phil Speigel will offer Small Planet organic tofu samples.
“Through a Lens and a Brush, Exploring the Masai Mara” is a joint exhibition at The Hardware Store Restaurant, featuring photography by Cord Harms Zum Spreckel and oil paintings by Pam Ingalls.
The images are based on a photo safari in Kenya that both Islanders took last fall.
“The vast land, the animals and the people of the Masai Mara entranced me,” said Ingalls. “The safari completely changed the way I relate to animals. We had hours to just watch one family of lions or one herd of elephants and photograph them relating to each other and their environment. It sounds silly, but I finally ‘got it’ that each animal has its own life — its own individual reality.”
Heron’s Nest will showcase oil paintings by Margi Amstrup, ceramics by Liz Lewis and the 2010 Vashon Allied Arts Community Quilt.
Red Bicycle Bistro will exhibit work by Alexandria Sandlin and Erin Wheeler.
Spice Route will exhibit work by Abraham Batzin Navichoc, an award-winning Mayan painter from the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala.
Treasure Island will exhibit recycled clothing from the Global Revolutionary Fashion Company.
VALISE Gallery will present “Vashon Jam/Slam/Glam All-Island Art Show,” featuring the work of artists from Vashon.
Vashon Bookshop will host a poster show celebrating KotaPress and Kara L.C. Jones’ book “1,000 Permissions Granted: a collection of creative permission slips.” There will also be music by The Diggers.
Windermere Realty will be the site of a special First Friday jewelry show by Zavida Gemstones, a Mercer Island-based retailer that specializes in semi-precious jewelry sourced directly from artisans around the globe. Zavida gives 25 percent of its profits back to the regions and artists where its pieces originate. To learnmore, visit www.zavidagemstones.com.
