Step into July with First Friday gallery cruise
Published 3:50 pm Monday, June 29, 2026
Kick off July with an evening of art, creativity and community at Vashon’s First Friday gallery cruise.
Vashon Center for the Arts
This month’s First Friday coincides with round one of the Vashon Summer Arts Festival, and Vashon Center for the Arts will welcome visitors for an opening reception between 5-8 p.m on Friday, July 3.
The festival is an annual tradition celebrating island artists through three rotating exhibits presented throughout the summer. For the first round of the ninth annual festival, VCA will show the work of 10 local artists with works across a variety of mediums.
Acrylic paintings, photo collages, photography and basket weaving are just some of the art that will be on display during the exhibit’s opening reception. First Friday visitors will also have a chance to see the sculpture of Singer — the gray whale that washed ashore on Vashon in 2024 — which is currently on display in VCA’s atrium.
During the opening reception, visitors are also invited to explore the gallery shop, which will feature the work of ceramic artists Marla Smith, Liz Lewis and Karen Fevold.
Vashon Center for the Arts is located at 19600 Vashon Highway SW, and normal gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
For more information about the event, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union
Throughout July, Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union will showcase work by island artist Darsie Beck, and visitors are to welcome to an opening reception on First Friday between 6-8 p.m.
Known for his watercolor and acrylic paintings, Beck’s work reflects the sights, sounds and maritime traffic of the Puget Sound. Accompanying Beck’s artwork is musical guests Jim Hobson on keyboard and Richard Person on the trumpet. Snacks and drinks will be served courtesy of PSCCU.
PSCCU is located at 9928 SW Bank Road, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Anu Rana’s Healthy Kitchen
Throughout the month of July, Anu Rana’s Healthy Kitchen will show “Memories of Lascaux,” an exhibit by island artist Sally Jean Fox. The cafe will host the artist, as well as First Friday visitors, for a reception between 5:30-7:30 p.m. on First Friday.
A mixed-media artist, Fox works with mediums like acrylic paint, charcoal and collage, as well as unconventional materials like marble dust, turmeric and coffee grounds. Inspired by a visit to the Lascaux caves in France, her new exhibit evokes themes of movement, history, mystery and longing through her abstract, textured approach.
Anu Rana’s Healthy Kitchen is located at 17610 Vashon Highway SW and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Vashon Senior Center
The Vashon Senior Center will host an opening reception of the photo club’s group show between 5:30-8:30 p.m. The club welcomes photographers of all skill levels for discussions, workshops field trips and more, and work from the group’s members will be on display at the center through July and August. A part of the proceeds from photo sales will go towards the Vashon Senior Center.
The Vashon Senior Center is located at 10004 SW Bank Road, and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Swiftwater Gallery
The Swiftwater Gallery will welcome visitors for a raffle event between 6-7 p.m. on First Friday. Raffle prizes include a $50 gift card for first place, a card bundle for second place and a painted tote bag for the third place winner.
Those who follow the gallery on Instagram, like their post announcing the raffle and tag a friend in the comments will be automatically entered.
Swiftwater Gallery is located at 17600 Vashon Highway SW, and gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
VALISE Gallery
VALISE Gallery will host an opening reception for their July show, “Four Friends Part 2” between 1-9 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
The show features four longtime collective members, exploring themes like the unconscious and the natural world. Artwork on display includes landscape paintings by Jiji Saunders, ocean-inspired paintings by Sharon Shaver, a ghost-inspired series by Rachael LordKenaga as well as artwork by Pascale Judet.
VALISE Gallery is located at 17633 Vashon Highway SW, and the show will be available for view throughout the month of July between 1-6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Windermere Gallery
Throughout the month of July, Windermere Gallery will show artwork by island artist Danny Kopsak.
Each of Kopsak’s pieces starts with a photo, which he then uses to create a silhouette, which is transferred to paper, cut by hand using an X-Acto knife and mounted to give the image shadow and depth.
Kopsak has spent most of his life working in creative fields. After studying graphic design and fashion merchandising at Kent State University, Kopsak worked with American Greetings creating wallpaper, wall murals, gift wrap, gift bags and greeting cards.
Kopsak also recently launched Handmade on Vashon, which promotes island artists and makers on a central online platform.
Windermere Gallery is located at 17429 Vashon Highway SW.
