Raven’s Nest is on a roll.
This Friday evening, Vashon’s Northwest Coast Native art gallery and gift shop will reopen in a different space. On Saturday, Raven’s Nest will bring Grammy-nominated Native flute player Vince Redhouse to the island for a concert at the high school. And in December, Israel Shotridge, co-owner of the gallery and shop, will be one of four featured Northwest Native artists at the National Museum of American Indians in Washington, D.C.
Raven’s Nest has taken over the site that formerly housed Constantinople, the clothing store that closed this summer. According to Sue Shotridge, gallery co-owner along with her husband Israel, the relocation will allow Raven’s Nest to expand the gifts they carry and display more unique carvings by Israel.
“Our focus will be Northwest Coast Native imagery in multiple products,” Sue said, “from gifts to original works, high to low end. People can commission work as well. We think it will be a great island resource for the holidays.”
But retail is not the sum total of the Shotridge’s new vision for Raven’s Nest. As they did when the couple first arrived on Vashon 20 years ago, the Shotridges plan to increase public programming as a Northwest Native cultural event sponsor. They anticipate brining workshops, lectures, music, dance and weaving events to Vashon. Redhouse is the first sponsored concert, Sue noted, but they’re already planning a weaving retreat for next June.
“It’s what we did years ago, but quit when Israel got too busy with commissions,” she said.
Last year Israel received a fellowship that enabled him to buy the tools he needed to take his jewelry making to the next level. That, along with solid sales in the reproduction and wholesale side of the business, led to Israel creating speculative carvings and jewelry, Sue said.
“For the first time in his whole career, Israel is not just working on commissions but is able to make his own original art,” Sue said. “We are thrilled to be able to offer that in the new gallery.”
Raven’s Nest will also feature work by two other Native artists who share Alaskan heritage with Israel — Salish Coast artists Shaun Peterson, whose commissioned work is on display at the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum, and Peter Boone.
“We’ve moved walls and painted the new gallery and are excited to show it to Vashon,” Sue said. “We signed a five-year lease so we’re not looking to leave anytime soon.”
Native flute plauer Vince Redhouse will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Vashon High School theater.
