Holiday Studio Tour

Don’t miss Vashon Island Visual Artists’ annual Holiday Studio Tour, featuring 40 studios and galleries representing more than 150 local artists.

Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6-7 and 13-14, the tour is a chance to see an island’s worth of artists in the tucked-away places where they create their art — and to shop for one-of-a-kind holiday treasures.

Stretching from Dockton through town to the far north and south sides of the island, the tour includes some of Vashon-Maury’s most creative artmakers, who have crafted pottery, paintings, prints, jewelry, glass and wood works, and one-of-a-kind apparel that is perfect for holiday gifting.

Start out the tour at the VIVA Tour Center and Gallery, located at 17816 Vashon Hwy SW, and while you’re in town, head to Swiftwater Gallery, a cooperative gallery featuring the works of more than 50 local artists. Tour-goers can also pick up a brochure with a map of the tour at local businesses, or visit vivartists.com for an online map and more information.

Looking for more local and Northwest work to brighten the holidays? Be sure to stop at Vashon Made, a shop that exclusively features works by local makers, located at 9922 SW Bank Rd, and Raven’s Nest, at 17508 Vashon Hwy SW, which offers a variety of arts, crafts, jewelry and the work of Master Tlingit carver Israel Shotridge. At Raven’s Nest, you’ll find Native-themed giftable art prints, handcrafted ornaments, home decor, candles, garlands, and much more, including some Chanukah-themed items.

First Friday

Think of this month’s First Friday gallery cruise — taking place in the late afternoon and evening of Dec. 5 — as a pre-party to the VIVA’s Studio Tour. Some of the shows opening that evening are also official tour stops. Here are only a few stops for you to make that evening, but also remember to check out other shops and art spots around town including Swiftwater Gallery, Vashon Made and Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union.

Dig Deep Gardens

Pam Ingalls, a prolific and beloved local oil painter, will hold her annual December exhibit of oil paintings with an opening from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Dig Deep Gardens, 19028 Vashon Hwy SW. Her show, “Finding Joy,” is filled with simple still lifes, portraits, interiors, cityscapes and island scenes to help local viewers remember and mark the joy around them.

Guitarist and songwriter Daryl Redeker will be on hand to serenade exhibit-goers, and the reception will also include wine and tasty nibbles. The exhibit will also be open during Vashon Island Visual Artists’ Holiday Studio Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14.

VALISE

VALISE Gallery’s collective of artists are holding their annual holiday art show, but with a twist from their typical format of showing only 5-inch by 5-inch work. This season, art of all sizes will be on display, ranging in price from $40-$400.

Expect the usual wide variety of color, styles and techniques in oil, acrylic, collage, photography and mixed media, with subject matter ranging from wacky to sublime.

Rachel LordKenaga describes her work in the show as “figures seeking connection, houses on fire and plants from my studio, which I consider supportive friends cheering me on as I work.”

Bill Jarcho said he has created work for the show including “digitally created color abstract pieces called ‘Land O’ Shapes’ and cartoon-y foam core cut-out characters — all made in time for this Joyous Festivus season.”

Jiji Saunders said she has been craving whimsy in her art lately, and so has created a collection of pastel donuts to dazzle the eyes.

Other collective members showing are Pascale Judet, Liz Maxfield, Sharon Shaver, Hita Von Mende, Lenard Yen, George Wright, Robert Passig, Dot Cherch and Gregory Burnham.

A soft opening for the show will take place from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Regular gallery hours are 1-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. This month, the gallery will also be open during VIVA’s Holiday Studio Tour’s hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Vashon Center for the Arts

Two holiday exhibitions that celebrate artistry in small and shining forms will be on view at VCA: its Annual Miniatures Show and Eric Heffelfinger’s Fine Jewelry Holiday Collection — shows that are also part of the Holiday Stuio Tour.

Both exhibitions open on Dec. 5, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The shows run through Dec. 21, and all artwork is available for immediate take-home upon purchase — ideal for holiday gift giving.

The Miniature Show, now in its 19th year, is a beloved Vashon tradition. Artists are challenged to create works no larger than 36 square inches for 2-D pieces or six inches in any direction for 3-D works.

These constraints inspire a surprising range of creativity. This year’s show includes paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces that invite viewers to step closer and appreciate the detail and intimacy possible at a small scale. The exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to collect original, affordable art by both Vashon and Pacific Northwest artists.

Complementing the exhibition is Eric Heffelfinger’s Holiday Collection, a showcase of handcrafted jewelry by longtime Vashon goldsmith Eric Heffelfinger. Known for his decades of experience and his time co-owning the Silverwood Gallery in Burton, Heffelfinger presents a selection of earrings, cuff bracelets, chains, and pendants in gold and silver, set with opals, pearls, Kingman turquoise, and other carefully chosen stones. His work reflects a signature style — fluid, organic, and shaped by more than 55 years of craftsmanship.

Lynann Politte, the gallery curator, is excited to welcome islanders to both exhibits.

“The Miniature Show is such a joy to host this time of year because small works make meaningful gifts — there’s always room for them, each piece is unique, and every purchase supports a local artist,” she said. “Pairing this annual tradition with Eric’s exquisite jewelry gives our community a chance to find truly one-of-a-kind treasures this holiday season.”

Works on view in VCA’s holiday exhibition include miniature works and jewelry by (top row, left to right) Madeleine Schroeder, Morgan Brig, Eric Heffelfinger (bottom), Ronda Pence and Christian Peterson. (Courtesy Photo)