Stupid bikes, art shows and so much more is on the way
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Get ready for an art and action-filled First Friday and Saturday. There’s plenty to do, see and experience as the summer winds down with a bang on Vashon.
Dine, dance and hobnob with friends and neighbors as the final installment of Vashon Summer Night transforms Vashon Highway into a pedestrian-only zone stretching from Subway to the Vashon Theatre from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5.
Among the attractions will be a beautiful display of “Flower of Life” chalk art on the street, created by artists Jennifer Hawke and Mary McGinnis. A pop-up community line dance for all ages will also take place from 7-7:30 p.m. at Vashon Highway and Bank Road.
Then, shortly after dusk on Friday, the beloved annual free-range event, Stupid Bike Night, will take to the streets of Vashon’s town core. The parade of bicycles features riders of all ages tooling through the center of town on outlandish forms of tricked-out, lit-up, pedal-powered means of transportation. Wild, colorful costumes of riders add to the mayhem. All are invited to watch or participate.
Friday and Saturday’s attractions also include the following openings of new art exhibitions.
Outstanding in its Field
Meet local artists, enjoy fresh-baked treats and hear live music by Gus Reeves at a reception for the Outstanding in its Field Gallery’s exhibit, “On the Wing,” from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
The show, running Sept. 6-28, explores the beauty of birds, and includes the work of 14 Vashon artists who have depicted avian friends from the sky to the branch. The show includes watercolors, ceramics, etchings, jewelry, sculpture, oils, baskets, and pastels. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Vashon Bird Alliance.
The gallery is located at 10524 S.W. 188th St, just west of Sawbones, and is open from 12-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and weekdays by appointment by calling 206-419.0199.
The show includes work by Tara Brenno; Charlotte Masi; Chuck Bonsteel; Julia Gombert; Janeen Bramwell; Margi Amstrup; Jude Boardman; Sue Hardy; William Cleaver, Jeanne Marie Thomas; Barbara Gustafson; Lynn McClain; Janis McElroy and White Hart Art.
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union
The credit union will host an opening reception for a new exhibit and street party from 6-8 p.m. Friday, which will include free hot dogs (meat and vegetarian), drinks and music by local folk and blues legend John Browne.
This month’s featured artist, Allison Trundle, creates vibrant and large paintings inspired by nature, as well as works in multiple other genres including installation, sculpture, music and dance.
As usual, art will be available to view throughout September and October during PSCCU’s regular business hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Swiftwater
The gallery, in the center of Vashon town, will be open on the evening of First Friday. See work by more than 50 local artists, and attend a talk and demonstration by Tlingit artist Odin Lonning from 6-7 p.m. on Friday.
Lonning is widely recognized for his painted wood carvings, drums, leather painting and graphic designs. His work has been frequently shown on Vashon, as well as displayed at Everett Community College, the Seattle Aquarium, and in private homes from Seattle to Paris.
Vashon Center for the Arts
“Ignited by Vashon,” a show of work by alumni of Vashon Artist Residency (read an article about the show here) will have an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Vashon Senior Center
Members of the Photo Club at Vashon Senior Center will present a group show during September and October, as the club launches a new book, “Light Moments,” featuring 150 photographs by 15 club members.
Meet the photographers and preview the book from 1-2 p.m. Friday September 5, at the Senior Center. An artist’s reception will also take place later that day, from 5-7 p.m.
Visit vashoncenter.org or call 206-463-5173 for exhibit hours. Partial proceeds of sales benefit the Vashon Senior Center.
Windermere Gallery
An exhibition of original paintings by island artist Liz Maxfield which opened on Aug. 1 will continue with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept 5, at 17429 Vashon Hwy SW. Learn more at lizmaxfield.com.
VALISE
VALISE Gallery will present “Pedaling Visions” with work by longtime VALISE artists Robert Passig and Lenard Yen.
”My paintings become landscapes of emotion and power, where memory, desire, and oppression collide — leaving behind traces that are fragile, haunting, and unmistakably human,” said Passig.
“[My] recent paintings have helped me look at what I was searching for in color and stroke: a balance point where there is both tension and resolution, seen and unseen, intention and accident, struggle and surrender, abrupt and gradual, lost moments and found time,” said Yen.
The show opens from 1-9 p.m. Friday Sept. 5. Regular gallery hours are 1-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
