Heads up to islanders accustomed to setting out on a gallery cruise on the first Friday of every month: some local galleries will hold opening receptions for new exhibitions one day earlier next week, from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.

The shift was made because this year, July 4 — a day for picnics, celebrating American independence, and watching a professional fireworks display over Quartermaster Harbor falls on a Friday.

One of the biggest events happening on Vashon’s rare First Thursday will be the opening of the annual Vashon Summer Arts Fest.

The Vashon Summer Arts Fest — now celebrating its eighth year — returns to VCA from July 3 through Aug. 31. Spanning nine weeks, the festival exclusively showcases the work of local artists, offering an always colorful glimpse into the island’s thriving creative community.

As in years past, this year’s fest will consist of three rounds of exhibitions, each running for three weeks.

Round #1, with an opening reception on July 3, will include works by Hope Black, Jill Rickabaugh, Jim Meiklejohn, John Schuh, Jonathan Kuzma, Melissa Treharne, Pamela Wickard and Shelley Hanna.

From July 3-27, the gallery gift shop will boast the jewelry of Lisa Witherspoon.

Witherspoon uses glass beads, silver, copper and other distinctive metals and colorful ornamentation to craft her jewelry. Her work, according to her artist’s statement, is inspired by her “love of heavy metal/hard rock music and fashion, without being too dark.”

Regular gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Find out more at gallery.vashoncenterforthearts.org.

This example of Lisa Witherspoon’s jewelry brings to mind a magical garden in bloom. (Courtesy Photo)