Father's Day: Chamber Music with the Beau Metro Quartet

You are cordially invited to a concert presented by the Beau Metro Quartet in an afternoon concert of Viola Quintets with Seattle Symphony guest violist, Timothy Hale, on Sunday, June 16th, 3pm, at The Island Gallery.

Stephen Bryant,violin

Tom Dziekonski, violin

Sue Jane Bryant, viola

Virginia Dziekonski, cello

The quintets to be performed:

Beethoven: Op.29 in C
Bruckner: Adagio & Scherzo from the Quintet in F

Brahms: Op. 88 in F

The Beau Metro Quartet returns to The Island Gallery for a performance of their popular Chamber Music with Art Series.  Artwork by Woodward Middle School and Blakely Elementary School young artists will be on display, created during a live Beau Metro Quartet concert in their classrooms!

The Beau Metro Quartet enjoys performing an unusual variety of composers in unlikely locations, from Seattle's Town Hall to art classrooms in local schools. They collaborate often on many recording projects, young composers’ concerts and recordings, weddings and special event performances.

The concert begins at 3:00 pm. Tickets are available in advance or at the door, $15.00 / $10.00 students. Please call the Gallery at 206.780.9500 or e-mail ssn@theislandgallery.net for reservations.

Seating is limited for this special Father's Day concert!

About the Artists:

Stephen Bryant, a Bainbridge Island resident, is a violinist known for his enthusiasm and passion for music. Each summer he leads a string quartet concert series during a fifteen day river raft trip through the Grand Canyon, performing in some of the most spectacular natural amphitheatres in the world. Steve was a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Edmonton Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestras. Steve is presently a member of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Sue Jane Bryant studied viola with Karen Tuttle and Lillian Fuchs at the Banff Centre for the Arts. She was a member of the Edmonton Symphony and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra before moving to Seattle in 2003. Sue Jane served as Sub-Principal Viola of the newly formed Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in 1998/99. Sue Jane enjoys teaching, studio recording and playing as an extra musician with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She lives on Bainbridge Island.

Virginia Dziekonski is assistant principal cellist of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra. She has performed with Seattle Symphony and the Seattle Opera. Virginia has also performed as principal cellist for Tacoma Opera, the Northwest Sinfonietta and the St. James Cathedral Chamber Orchestra. She works for all the major recording studios in the Seattle area, playing scores for radio, television and movies. Virginia is an active chamber musician and has appeared in series such as Second City in Tacoma, Artswest, Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series, Camerata Musica of the Battelle Institute, the San Juan Chamber Players, the Music in the Park Series of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, and the Water Music Festival in Long Beach, WA. In July 2007, Virginia played with Beau Metro Quartet in the premiere concert of chamber music for the Anacortes Arts Festival. In 2000-2001, Virginia played principal cello for the world premiere of Philip Glass’ chamber opera, “In the Penal Colony” at ACT Theatre, which also toured to Chicago at the Court Theater, and New York at the Classic Stage Co. In 2004, the Beau Metro premiered “Anna Madrigal Remembers” with the Seattle Men’s Chorus and with mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. She is on the string tracks to “Bring Me to the Light,” a Top 40 hit by the band Evanescence.

Tom Dziekonski studied with Vilem Sokol at the University of Washington, where he graduated with honors in Music, Arts, and Electrical Engineering. He also studied with Daniel Majeske, late concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. He was concertmaster of the Seattle Youth Symphony, where he received the inspirational award and returned as guest soloist. Tom is the first violinist in the Metropolitan String Quartet, which premiered "In the Penal Colony", the chamber opera by Philip Glass, in Seattle, Chicago and New York. They have performed with famed soprano Frederica von Stade, and on the Governor's Chamber Music concert series. He also plays first violin with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and plays occasionally with the Seattle Symphony and with Seattle Opera, where he also performed on-stage roles in costume. Tom also plays electric violin in the musical cast of Teatro ZinZanni: a 70s vintage Barcus Berry, airbrushed in Day-Glo acrylics.

Guest Artist Timothy Hale earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Performance Certificate from the Yale University School of Music. His primary teachers were Ohyama and Raphael Hillyer. After a single season with the San Diego Symphony, he joined the Seattle Symphony and now makes Seattle his home. In the Northwest, he has performed with the Seattle Chamber Players, the Seattle International Music Festival, Chamber Music San Juans, Second City Chamber Series and the Governor’s Chamber Music Series.

June 2013 First Friday Artwalk - You're Invited!

Solstice Faire

Golden Rutilated Quartz Ring, 14k Gold, Oxidized Sterling Silver. Anna Whitmore

June 7-30, 2013

True to the coming time of long light and short shadows,

we present a sunny and enticing group of new works by our artists:

Robin Hominiuk, ceramics
John Luke, wooden boxes
Reid Schoonover, ceramics
Carol Lee Shanks, wearable art

Carter Smith, shibori textiles

Robert Spangler, fine wood furniture

Jen Till, oil paintings

Irene Yesley, textile wall art, paintings, drawings

Introducing Jewelry Artist Anna Whitmore

Opening Reception:
First Friday, June 7th, 6-8 pm

 

Featuring a musical performance by Bainbridge Island’s

The BBC Jazz Trio

In concert on the Plaza

 

About the Musicians:

Dave Bristow was born in London and began to study music on the piano at an early age, and after graduating from university has worked as a professional keyboard player, sound designer, electronic music consultant and music teacher ever since. He has recorded with many artists, including UK guitarist John Etheridge, violinist Ric Sanders and singer June Tabor, and as a performing musician has toured the world demonstrating synthesizers and teaching electronic music. He has an international reputation as a key contributor voicing the well-known Yamaha DX7 and other synthesizers. Dave moved to the United States with his family in 1995 working with the electronic music company Emu Systems, Inc., moving to the Northwest in 2002, where he worked for Yamaha as a consultant on ringtone development and more recently, ran and developed a non-profit community music school for four years on Bainbridge Island. He now spends his time teaching Electronic Music and Synthesis at Shoreline Community College, and composing and playing piano with the “BBC” Jazz Trio.

Kurt Bischoff began playing drums in elementary school and, by the time he was in high school, had played in many jazz and rock groups. He went on to study composition and experimental music at UC Davis, where he studied with Stan Lunetta, Larry Austin and John Cage. He continued composing and performing with the progressive rock group Opus Fluke and the avant garde hyborian ensemble Amra/Arma – a group that went on to perform at the first International Carnival of Experimental Sound in London. He built and managed a recording studio in Sacramento, California and performed with the Camelia Symphony and The Sacramento Symphony until moving to the Northwest, where he played with the Richard Thompson/Harry Holbert Quartet. He has taken his drums with him on two long sailing trips (once to Central America and again to the South Pacific and Australia) using his musical abilities to both interface with and learn from local indigenous people.

Neil Conaty grew up in New York City and began playing bass and guitar at the age of twelve. His first passion was the guitar which he played underage in various rock and roll bars throughout the city. On the bass, he concentrated on classical music, playing in several New York orchestras, most notably under Pierre Boulez at Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center. He also performed with Ella Fitzgerald and the Elmira Symphony Orchestra. Branching out into bluegrass and folk music, he performed with many of the leading players in New York including Marty Cutler and Charged Particles, whose tour of France took them to the Toulouse Bluegrass Festival, and Bob Yellin of the legendary Greenbriar Boys. As his interests turned to jazz he had the opportunity to study guitar with David Torn, Chuck Wayne and Pat Martino and bass with Michael Moore and Fred Hopkins. He has lived on Bainbridge Island since 1993.

Advance Warning:  Keep an eye out for June's Gallery Picks Newsletter, coming soon, which will highlight work from more of our wonderful artists!)

Beau Metro Quartet: Save the Date

As promised, here's an early reminder that the Beau Metro Quartet will be playing Viola Quintets from Beethoven, Bruckner and Brahms at The Island Gallery on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, 2013.  

The concert begins at 3:00 pm.  Tickets are available in advance or at the door, and are $15.00 apiece.  Please call the Gallery at 206.780.9500 or e-mail ssn@theislandgallery.net for reservations.  Seating is limited.

We are delighted to welcome back these fabulous musicians!

May 2013 Gallery Picks Newsletter

May is settling in nicely here on Bainbridge Island, blossoms popping everywhere in their welcome arrays of soon-to-be-summer color.  We've even spotted some here in the Gallery, so we feel we must share these new glorious pieces of art with you in our monthly Gallery Picks Newsletter.

For more information on each item, click on its title; you will be transported, web-style, to our online shop.  Or wander into the Gallery for the real-life, close-up experience!

So... what were we saying about blossoms...

Nasturtium.  Illuminated Sculpture

This hanging lamp, made of bent wood and layers of tissue paper,
is simply delightful, bringing the glowing beauty of summer nasturtiums
right into your home.
We have several other new lamps as well, including a colorful
sconce, and always welcome commission requests. 

Elements.  Isnia

Silk Batik Reverse Applique

 An amazing creation from Isnia, this striking silk batik reverse applique
wallhanging is a vibrant depiction of the Four Elements on one side, and a
cooler expanse of what might be aquatic blooms on the other.  It is part
of the current Isnia exhibition on display at the Gallery.
Unfortunately, we're down to the last few days of this gorgeous show;
the pieces will come down next weekend.  Their next stop is Leipzig, Germany,
where they will be displayed in a museum.

Oober Poncho, White.  Amy Brill

The perfect wrap, this clever sleeved poncho is hand-knit from linen
and rayon yarns.  It goes beautifully with just about any outfit you fancy -
over jeans, perhaps, or a lightweight dress.  We've paired it here with
Carol Lee Shanks' deep purple crinkle silk tunic dress and skirt, perfect
 for a cool lady on a warm summer night, and draped it with two silk
batik beaded textile necklaces from Isnia's Red Lotus jewelry line.
Gorgeous!

Silk chiffon Shibori Scarf, Purples.  Carter Smith

We admit it.  We are infatuated with our recent Carter Smith arrivals.
And they've become so popular that we can barely keep them
photographed and posted in the shop.  Carter's artistry is in
full bloom in this incredible silk chiffon shibori scarf in tones of
purple, fuschia, navy blue, and copper.  Drape this over a white
or cream top and see how far you can go without drawing admiring
stares and compliments!  Of course, don't fret if purple isn't in your
color-scheme of things:  simply click on the link above, head
over to the Gallery's online shop, and you'll see many
different sizes and colors, with more to come.
Oh, and you might want to hold onto your heart!

Memory, Myth, Motif.  Eric Nelsen

Wood Fired Ceramic

A remarkable sculpture by Vashon Island artist Eric Nelsen.
Eric's intricate wood-fired pieces sometimes defy the laws of gravity
while drawing one's eye to every nook and cranny, each element
begging to be explored and contemplated by the viewer.  The effects
of the wood kiln (anagama) add to the "ancient artifact" quality of his work,
painstakingly executed in clay and flame, its very survival in the five-day firing
an amazing accomplishment, and a tribute to the artist. 

Silk Batik Mini-Scarf, Pinks.  Red Lotus for Isnia

We mentioned Isnia's silk batik textile jewelry line above; here's a closer look.
They are made from silk that has been hand-batiked in Isnia's Yogyakarta, Java,
studio, which is then sewn into various styles and embellished with gemstones,
freshwater pearls and tiny Delicata beads, as well as other delightful textile elements,
like silk-covered wooden beads.  They come in a variety of styles and lengths,
including multi-strand mini-scarves that can be tossed saucily over the
shoulders for a look that would make Isadora Duncan drool.
 

Eggshell Bowl #3.  Robin Hominiuk

A glowing Eggshell!
 This tiny wood-fired bowl is made of porcelain and rests in its own
rustic nest (wood-fired stoneware), happy to sit near you and
simply radiate light.  We have just received three of these
lovely sculptures, each a bit different in size and coloration,
all beautiful.  The exterior shows the warm touch of the
kiln's fire; the interior surprises, with a touch of rosy color and
a cheerful puddle of blue-green crackle glaze.

Sterling Silver Disk Earrings.  Gitana/Agnes Seebass

These are wonderful!  Simple, at first glance, but  they are more complex in design
than one might think, and at two and a half inches long make quite a statement.
(They also whimsically remind us of either errant UFOs or our local
landmark and beloved icon, the Seattle Space Needle!)
Sterling silver, delicately hammered, on secure posts, they are just dazzling.
(We actually think they'd like to escape, and zip around the skies at night;
either that, or visit the Needle for dinner with their Very Best Friend...)

This summer promises to be exciting, including the return of the Beau Metro Quartet to the Gallery in June!  We'll be posting reminder notices about that, and more, soon.  If you'd like to receive a reminder e-card directly in your inbox to let you know what's happening at the Gallery, simply send your e-mail address to sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll sign you up.  Otherwise, you can add us to you RSS feed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. 

Mother's Day: Perfect Gifts

No pressure, but yes, it's just around the corner.

We're referring to Mother's Day, a special day that urges us to treat our dear Moms extra-specially.  (One might argue that this should apply to every day of the year!  We endorse this position in our own families, with varying results.)  But after all these years of presents and presentations, from kindergarten refrigerator paintings through soon-dead potted plants to the obligatory breakfasts in bed or Mimosa-laced brunches, who can blame us for running out of gift-giving steam, fervor, inspiration?  For sweating through indecision as the clock ticks and the icy finger of guilt turns slowly in our direction?

You will find no hint of blame-mongering here, dear friends; hopefully, we can offer a little inspiration.

For example, when we look for gift-giving inspiration, for some reason the name Carter Smith always comes up. 

Did someone ask why that is?  Well, let's see...

 Above:  Silk Chiffon shibori scarf, multicolored

Above:  Double Georgette, Turquoise/green/gold

Left:  Silk Chiffon, orange/smoke grey

Right: Silk Chiffon, blue/tan/gold

Oh, that's right, because his silk shibori scarves are fabulous and everyone loves them!  Here are a few more close-ups:

Top:  Silk Crepe, gold/black

Center:  Two-tone striped silk, multicolored

Bottom:  Silk Chiffon, fuschia/black/bronze

Gem-tone colors, daring patterns, flowing fabric - these are all trademarks of Carter's incomparable artistry.  In addition, many of his scarves are priced in the highly affordable $40.00 - $120.00 range, so they're perfect for gift-giving.  We have a wide selection in the Gallery and in our web shop; come on in or click on the individual links above to view these extraordinary pieces and more, and for further information.

Inspired?  We hope so.  We're rooting for you.

Happy Mother's Day!

To receive advance notice of exhibits, sales, and musical events, send your e-mail address to sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll send a notice directly to your inbox.  Or click on the link at the bottom of this page to add the Art Blog to your feed list!

Special Sale: Maple Table Slabs

This almost never happens:  The wood artist who creates many of our live-edge slabs has authorized a one-time only, over 50% price reduction on two of his fabulous maple tabletops.


Live-edge Maple, 75" long x 33" wide x 2" thick


Both gorgeous pieces are currently marked down from $2,850.00 to $1,200.00.  The price is for the tabletop slab only; your choice of legs may be purchased separately.  For further information, shipping estimates or more photos, please contact the Gallery at ssn@theislandgallery.net or sr@theislandgallery.net.

Eva Funderburgh Ceramics Workshop

In honor of National Teacher Day on May 7, 2013, the Bellevue Art Museum in Bellevue, Washington is designating the weekend of May 4 and 5 Teacher Appreciation Weekend. As part of this celebration, one of our wonderful ceramic artists, Eva Funderburgh of Seattle, will offer a workshop on the making of her beasts on Saturday, May 4, 12 - 2 pm, entitled Monsters & Movement with Eva Funderburgh. If you’re a teacher and want to learn how to teach little monsters to make little monsters, you should definitely look into this.

Eva will tailor the workshop to the classroom, going over the basics of creating the beasts that inhabit her studio. If you’re familiar with her work, you know that these creatures tend to be part whimsy, a dollop of mischief, and - gasp! - occasionally a wee bit threatening!  (Why don't we let them show you themselves what we mean...)

Clockwise, from top left:  Two Birds; Monster for Todd; Water Drop; Amazement

Because the techniques Eva uses are fairly simple, the workshop should be informative and accessible to folks at all levels of clay experience. She will also cover the idea of air dry clay, which can make sculpting accessible even to educators without access to a kiln.

Teachers are invited to experience BAM for free all weekend long. Please bring school identification for free admission.  You can also go straight to their website for more information and to RSVP (www.bellevuearts.org).