Cruise into a world of art at First Friday openings

The Vashon Sheepdog Classic drew more than just dogs and handlers to the annual event last August. A raft of photographers — Kim Farrell, Clara Kappelman, Julian White-Davis and others — also gathered to capture the trials. Their photographs will be on display at Café Luna

The Vashon Sheepdog Classic drew more than just dogs and handlers to the annual event last August. A raft of photographers — Kim Farrell, Clara Kappelman, Julian White-Davis and others — also gathered to capture the trials. Their photographs will be on display at Café Luna.

Tlingit artist Odin Lonning’s award-winning work will be on display at Hastings-Cone Gallery. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Lonning’s “Sweetgrass & Cedar” show will feature multi-tribal traditional and contemporary pieces. Lonning will be present at the gallery cruise reception. He will also give a talk about the inspiration for his work — Tlingit art, culture and traditional knowledge — at 6 p.m. Saturday in the gallery.

Heron’s Nest will show watercolors and monotype prints by Ilse Reimnitz and oil paintings by Harmut Reimnitz.

Raven’s Nest celebrates Native American Heritage Month by featuring the hoop drum. Drums are arguably the most important Native American instrument, with each tribe constructing unique drums for particular purposes. In the Pacific Northwest, the drum is used for healing and celebration. Hand-painted and unpainted hoop drums plus a collection of miniature drum ornaments will be on display and for sale. Featured artists include Israel Shotridge (Tlingit), Mike Dangeli (Nisga)David Boxley (Tsimshian) and others.

Vashon artist Kristen Reitz-Green has a big following for her realistic large format paintings of food. Her more recent figurative paintings involving animals of all kinds and on all sizes of canvas will be on display at The Hardware Store Restaurant. Reitz-Green spent the majority of her life working as a classical musician before shifting into the visual arts in 2006. In the past couple of years, Reitz-Green’s art career has taken off, and her work has been in prestigious shows in North America.

Two Wall Gallery will display photographs taken by teens under the guidance of photographer Ray Pfortner during McMurray Exploratory Week and Vashon Allied Arts’ Photo Teen Camp. The photos capture the teens’ impressions of Tacoma, Seattle and Vashon. Friday’s opening will include live music played by some of the teens from the teen camp.

During November and December, VALISE will display 260 affordable works of art in the gallery’s annual member show, “Five by Five.” Each of VALISE’s 13 artists received 20 5-inch square wood panels to use for the show.  Finished panels will cost $65.

Vashon Allied Arts Gallery will feature fiber sculpture and basketry works by Danielle Bodine and multidimensional paintings by Jennifer Kapnek, with music during opening night by Richard Person (horns), Tom Wilkins (piano) and Steve Meyer (bass).

At Vashon Bookshop, Annie Roberts, longtime island teacher of string instruments, and her students will play during First Friday.

Vashon Intuitive Arts will show work by Karin Courture in a show called “Goddesses Mixed Media.”

“Seniors Got Art,” a show curated by Carol Slaughter at the Vashon Senior Center, will exhibit works owned by center members and the stories behind their choices. The baked potato bar will be open from 5 to 7 p.m.