Join in the fun during February’s First Friday art stroll, featuring new art exhibits around town and lots of live music, thanks to a new effort by Vashon Events to fill the island’s art spots with local musicians. Most venues are open from 6 to 9 p.m.
Camp Colvos
The brewery will show painted miniatures by Liz Maxfield.
Cafe Luna
The shop will show paintings in a wide range of genres by David Mampel, aka Daffy Dave. Kathy Larsdotter will play live music.
The Hardware Store Restaurant
The restaurant’s gallery will feature Erin Schultz’s exhibit, “Still Life & Moving Moments,” a collection of still life paintings balanced with lively landscapes and figures in oil.
Hastings-Cone Gallery
The gallery adjacent to Snapdragon Bakery & Cafe will exhibit drawings by Luke Roswold.
Judd Creek Ranch Gallery
The gallery will open “Hidden Treasures,” featuring work by artists Victoria Hunter and Joe Schonbok, including eco-dyed quilts and up-cycled textile creations, as well as handcrafted dulcimers, banjos and guitars. There will also be work from artists Margaret Smith, Marla Smith and Hazel Wilding. Their pieces consist of island-sourced natural fiber baskets, slab- built porcelain pottery and origami boxes. The gallery will also hold workshops throughout February in conjunction with the exhibit. On Feb. 3, Margaret Smith will teach a class in making heart-shaped baskets, and on Feb. 23 and 24, Joe Schonbok will lead a workshop on beginning strumming with a dulcimer. Visit juddcreekranch.com for more information and to register.
Island Paper Chase
Island Paper Chase will celebrate a month of love and kindness with new works by gallery owner Alice Larson. Pieces include origami hearts made from hanging cranes, hearts in glass globes, large and small mobiles, and other items to help remind people to care about each other. Everyone is also invited to stop by Feb. 8 through 10 to pick up origami hearts for handing out to others as part of the gallery’s annual hearts giveaway.
Margaret in the Hallway
Painter Margaret Tylczak will open a new show, “Genius in Many Shapes.”
May Kitchen + Bar
Well-known island magician and poet Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma will perform at the restaurant. May Chaleoy, restaurant owner, said that Pruiksma “wows our guests, not just with his magic, but with his artistry and presence.”
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union
A new photography exhibit by Susan White will be on view. White has worked with well-known island photographers, including Ray Pfortner, Terry Donnelly and Mary Liz Austin, and captured images in such scenic places as Yellowstone, Wyoming and Italy. During the exhibit, island guitarist Daryl Redeker will play music.
Ravens Nest Art Gallery & Gifts
Raven’s Nest will open “NWC Children’s Storybooks,” which includes a collection of Northwest Coast Native art illustrations in storybooks, depicting cultural native legends, ways of life and educational tools.
Sugar Shack
The eatery and event space will feature live music by Dan Tyack on pedal steel guitar, with special guest vocalists.
Vashon Bookshop
The Vashon Ukelele Society will perform live music.
Vashon Center for the Arts
Shows opening in the Koch Gallery, the Fong-Wheeler Atrium and the Joy & Chai Mann Gift Shop include “Abstract Seascapes,” a monotype show by Katherine McDowell; “Meditation Paintings,” by Becky Knold; “Current Obsessions,” pen-and-ink drawings by Seth Sexton; “Questions of Identity,” a photography show by Neil Berkowitz; and Quartermaster Press’ Valentines-themed exhibit “Sealed with a Kiss.”
VALISE Gallery
Art that interacts and plays with words will fill the gallery. Artists include Jessie Johnson, who will exhibit roses created in text; Pascale Judet, who will show a drawing of a woman taking refuge in nature; Sharon Shaver, whose paintings of animals will be paired with original sonnets; and Gregory Burnham, who has created what a press release called a “typerwiteresque creation.” Art by other members of the collective will also be on view, and island poets will be in residence throughout February to write poems and letters — take your pick from rap poems, free verse, ballads, limericks, haikus or sonnets. One wall in the gallery will also be designated as “The Wall of Devotion” — a place to leave love poems and notes.
