First Friday gallery walk beckons art lovers on Sept. 4

First Friday will launch VCA’s annual art auction, which culminates with a gala on Friday, Sept. 24

By Elizabeth Shepherd • August 30, 2021 1:30 am
Courtesy Photo Pam Ingalls oil painting, “About Time,” will be part of Vashon Center for the Arts annual art auction, and can be seen starting Friday at the arts center.
Courtesy Photo Pam Ingalls oil painting, “About Time,” will be part of Vashon Center for the Arts annual art auction, and can be seen starting Friday at the arts center.

Islanders can mask up and head out to enjoy Vashon’s latest bounty of art exhibits on Friday. Here’s some of what’s happening around town

Vashon Center for the Arts

First Friday will launch the arts center’s three-week annual art auction, which culminates in a gala on Friday, Sept. 24. Art can be viewed in the gallery; all bidding is online and the finale gala will be live-streamed.

The gallery will be filled with more than 150 pieces of art and experiences being offered. It all opens at 12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, with extended hours until 8 p.m. that night. Bidding takes place on VCA.maxgiving.bid, where artwork can also be viewed.

Art takes a prominent place in the collection of auction items. This year’s featured artists are VCA’s Notable Artists: Victoria Adams, Pam Ingalls, Erin Schulz, Kristen Reitz-Green, Morgan Brigs, Brian Fisher, and Cathy Sarkowsky.

In addition, Julie Speidel also contributed “Dunbrody,” a new work she created just for VCA’s auction.

There’s more: a 14K Etruscan style ring, set with garnet, sapphire and diamond, handcrafted by Eric Heffelfinger, and Pakistan punk jewelry by Dannielle Carbonne. There are paintings by Gretchen Hancock, Hartmut Reimnitz, Jeff Good and Janice Wall. Terry Fletcher and Kari Ulatoski have donated new framed fiber art pieces, as well as photography from Michael Elenko and Kris Pedrin. Other art includes glass art from Brian Brenno and Bill Akers. Work by well-known Vashon ceramicists, including Marla Smith, Mary L. Robinson and Chris Beck, will sit side by side with those by Seattle ceramic artists, Larry Halvorsen, Liza Halvorsen, and Loren Lukens.

This is just a small list of the art up for auction.

Those who are interested in bidding on travel experiences will find the chance to win stays in an apartment in Paris, a summer or winter vacation home at Mount Baker, and a place in Big White Ski Resort, in Canada. There are also great Vashon experiences, including a Pollard Wine dinner and sailing excursions around the islands of Puget Sound.

VALISE Gallery

Throughout September, VALISE Gallery will present “Two Friends – 37 Drawings and Paintings.” This exhibit features the work of Pascale Judet and Sharon Shaver. Judet and Shaver are longtime islanders whose friendship started when they joined VALISE Artist Collective and Gallery nearly a decade ago. Both artists use their drawings and paintings as a source of calm to address the tumult of their inner and outer worlds.

VALISE Gallery is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The opening celebration will take place Friday, Sept. 3, from 6 to 9 pm, and the show can also be previewed on Friday afternoon. The gallery is located at 17633 Vashon Hwy. S.W.

Caffe Vino olio

The wine shop will showcase the work of well-known island artist Carol Schwennesen, who will exhibit color-infused and expressive oil paintings. The cafe will serve Italian wines and nibbles.