Jewelry trunk show at VAA

Sunday, Feb 5, 1 to 4 pm
Blue Heron Gallery
Complimentary champagne and chocolate

Shop guilt free gemstones this weekend

Just in time for Valentine’s Day give a gift with heart from Vashon-based Zavida Gemstones-rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants in silver and gold with precious stones and natural gemstones-during a one day trunk show 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, at Blue Heron Gallery. Offering handmade jewelry from around the world, Zavida’s socially conscious philosophy (all about giving back) developed by Lee Gelb and Shelley Milano, combine their strong corporate backgrounds with art and philanthropy.

“In a nutshell, what we do is partner with an arts organization in India that helps jewelry artisans with packaging, marketing, etc. We give 25% of our annual profits to the project; giving is a key component of our business model.” Future projects are slated for North America and Central America.

“I’m excited to support an Island business and was particularly attracted to their world vision,” says VAA Gallery Curator Janice Mallman. Along with champagne and chocolate, attendees will view a seven minute DVD that shows Zavida’s mission at work to help artisans around the world. Preview jewelry at zavidagemstones.com.

Blue Heron Gallery

Gallery Opening
Friday, Feb 3, 6 pm
Music by Richard Person and Jim Hobson

Vashon Allied Arts hosts a trio of artists

VAA’s February Gallery exhibition will showcase works of three regional artists, from intricate feather basketry and larger than life oil still lifes to vibrant, textural abstracts.

Emerging Vashon artist, 13 year-old Mary Lawrence, will exhibit new abstract oil and mixed media paintings. Inspired by literature and everyday life, Lawrence credits art teacher Gail Labinski for introducing her to painting. She starts with a slab of paint on and keeps going until ‘it starts to talk to me.’ Lawrence paints with anything and everything from wires to Popsicle sticks. “I think most young people today are having a hard time connecting with the world…I find I'm able to ‘jump to the center of things’ through paint,” says Lawrence. She hopes to attend Tacoma School of the Arts.

C.A. Michel coils feathers (pheasant, guinea, peacock) with linen and wool, in both Native American and African basket-making techniques. Growing up with a seamstress, she says a spiritual thread runs throughout her work. The Seattle area artist has worked in sculpture, painting, mixed media and fiber art for more than 20 years. Her work has been seen in exhibitions throughout the U.S. “I take materials that women have used throughout time and create sculptural, tactile pieces,” she says.

West Seattle oil painter Cheryl Fugii Zahniser, will show large floral still life works. She enjoys the architectural elements that result from painting large. “I think about scale and look for lift, spots of color and shape. I work mainly alla prima-putting down large areas of color first, then adding detail.” The former Nordstrom executive says her corporate career enhanced her art by exposing her to creative people and provided extensive travel opportunities. She also works in glass and does large charcoal drawings.

2012 BLUE HERON GALLERY SHOWS

January
Kesler Woodward (painting)
Paul Bannick (photography)

February
Cheryl Fujii Zahniser (oil painting)
C.A. Michel (feather baskets)
Mary Lawrence (oil/mixed media painting)

March
William Mitchell (photography)
Tom Hughes (installation)

April
Brian Brenno (mixed media/ recycled tin)
Emma Jane Levitt (wood relief/collage)
Crista Matteson (mixed media/sculpture)

May
Janice Wall (pastel painting)
Janice Crocker (saggar and raku fired clay)
Tina Carter (photography)

June
Janci Mannington (oil painting, floral)
Charlotte Masi (gourds)

July
Leslie Wu (painting)
Tom Northington & Mary Rothermel (wood sculpture, boats)

August
Paul Lewing (tiles & painting)
Mardis Nenno (soda fired porcelain)

September
Art Auction

October
Morgan Brig (mixed media) (solo)

November
Assemblage/ Mixed Media Group Show

December
Masters in Miniature (various media)

Gallery Openings are 6 to 9 pm, first Friday of every month unless otherwise specified. CAll 206.463.5131 for more information.