The Island Gallery - Art Blog

Puttin' On The Ritz

2011-04-03T15:02:00.001-07:00

Sometime last summer the gallery was contacted by a British-based design firm who had seen a wood-fired ceramic piece displayed in our web shop (www.theislandgallery.net/shop/) and was interested in having two made especially for one of her projects. The ceramic piece was local artist Shane Watson's Skyline Wase; the project was the world's tallest hotel, the new Hong Kong Ritz Carlton.

Shane went to work. Despite the extremely high level of difficulty, including the threat of clay body shrinkage and the high failure rate often associated with wood kilns, he was able to produce on time and to the hotel designers' exact specifications two big, magnificent pieces that look something like this:

Wood-fired Skyline Vase Shane Watson, 2010

The vases were delivered (very carefully) around the beginning of the year and now grace the Ritz Carlton's Fire Pit Lounge & Bar on its 102nd Floor. The hotel opened its doors on March 30, 2011.

Great thanks to Walsh Greene Art & Design Consultancy for a challenging but smooth transaction, and Congratulations, Shane!

Bread Pudding Bake-Off Winners

2011-04-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

5th Annual Bainbridge Island Pro-Am Bread Pudding Bake-Off

Official Results!

As usual, every pudding was amazing. An extra vote here or there could easily have changed the outcomes! However, after several recounts and the occasional battle over hanging chads, here are the Official Results:

Best in Show and Gold Amateur Winner Katie Brown (left)

Silver Amateur Winner, John Sydor (right)

Best in Show

Katie Brown

My Own Bread Pudding with dried apples, raisins marinated in liqueur, with caramel and dark rum sauce

Gold Amateur

Katie Brown

My Own Bread Pudding with dried apples, raisins marinated in liqueur, with caramel and dark rum sauce

Gold Pro

Doc's Marina Grill

Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Silver Amateur

John Sydor

Blueberry maple sugar creme brulee bread pudding

Silver Pro

Salmon Canyon Cafe

Classic bread and butter pudding with blueberries and apricot glaze

Bronze Runners-Up

Amateurs:

Kate deVeaux

Jennifer Montgomery

Bobbie Morgan

Joan Sandler

Keith Thackray

Pros:

Bainbridge Thai

BIBBQ

Metro Market Catering

Clair Younker Moe

My Kids' Cookies

Pain d'Amore

San Carlos

Stephanie Of Course

Streamliner Diner

Our grateful thanks to all the magnificent bakers who put their time, talents and hearts into making this a success. Special thanks to our event partner, My Kids' Cookies and Barbara Reininger, who so generously invited our amateur bakers into her commercial kitchen, without which the true community spirit of the Annual Bainbridge Island Bread Pudding Bake-Off would not have been possible.

Bread Pudding Bake-Off Returns!!

2011-01-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Calling all bakers: The TASTIEST Local Benefit is back! Announcing:

THE 5TH ANNUAL BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PRO-AM BREAD PUDDING BAKE-OFF!

All Proceeds Benefit Helpline House

The Island Gallery, in conjunction with My Kids' Cookies, is delighted to announce the return of one of our most popular events. Local pro and amateur bakers gather together, wielding their finest bread puddings (sweet or savory), and slug it out for the honor of being named the baker of Bainbridge Island's Best Bread Pudding! The judges - anyone with a dollar for a taste and a vote - sample the entries and cast their vote(s) for best pudding. The ballots are counted, and Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in both Pro and Am categories and overall Best of Show are awarded!

(Returning Amateurs: Please read the Rules of Entry carefully - we've made some important changes.)

DATE: First Friday, February 4, 2011

TIME: 6-8 pm

LOCATION: 400 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island. The tasting will occur in the lobby area of the building, right next to My Kids' Cookies.

There are several ways to make sure your bread pudding is registered for the Bake-Off:

1. Below is a downloadable Entry Form, and the Rules of Entry. To download the form, right-click on the image, hit Save As, and choose a file to save it to on your computer. You can then print it, fill it in, and return the form via regular mail (address is on the form) with your $20.00 registration fee (checks are fine), or drop it off at the gallery no later than February 2.

2. If you prefer, you can e-mail your information to sr@theislandgallery.net and call 206-780-9500 to register with a credit card.

Could it be any easier?

Yes!

3. Call 206-780-9500 and register over the phone. We'll fill in the form for you and answer any questions you might have.

Brick and Mortar: Fiber and Metal Sculpture of Britt Rynearson

2010-10-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Time to put the upcoming First Friday Gallery Walk on your calendar!

Fiber and Metal Sculptures of

Britt Rynearson

The Bainbridge Island native draws inspiration from the abstract beauty of aging building structures. Also featured: Britt's line of home furnishings, clothing and accessories.

November 5-28, 2010

Artist's Reception November 5, 6-8 pm

Featuring Ranger and the Re-Arrangers in concert on the plaza

and

The Winslow's Open House

Celebrating the Beginning of

the Holiday Season!

Music - Wine Bar - Appetizers

Don't miss this one!

The Island Gallery is Moving!

2010-07-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

We are truly delighted to make this announcement: As of August 15, 2010, The Island Gallery will have a new home! We're moving from the corner of Madison and Winslow Way, downtown Bainbridge Island, to The Winslow, 400 Winslow Way East, #120. This lovely modern red-brick building is located on the corner of Winslow Way and Ericksen, a hop, skip and jump from the ferry, and across the street from Town & Country Market and Bainbridge's ever-popular retro-style Streamliner Diner. How will you find us, you ask? Well, as you stroll down Winslow Way you won't be able to miss us: The beautiful patio in front of our space will greet you with its bright foliage, along with the eight-foot-tall James Kelsey sculpture, Tangerine Blade (bright orange!). It will look pretty much like this:

As soon as we have good photos of our new location, we'll post them.

Upcoming: Connie Castellano

2010-04-20T13:58:00.001-07:00

Coming right up is our May show, which features the incredible jewelry of local artist Connie Castellano.

City Lights

New Collection of Work by

Connie Castellano

May 7-30, 2010

Artist's Reception: First Friday, May 7th, 6-8 pm

Also Featured: Sale on Select Wearables, just in time for Mother's Day!

[Show Jewelry Excluded.]

The Extraordinary: Su Olsen's Jewelry

2010-04-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

We are honored to have carried Su Olsen's exceptional jewelry here at the gallery for quite some time now, but only recently have we added her to our online web shop. If you love ancient beads coupled with beautiful metalwork, Su's designs come highly recommended.

She also makes beautiful contemporary-look earrings and necklaces in reticulated sterling silver and copper, stretching her considerable talents down new pathways. We'll be putting examples of those in the web shop shortly.

Here are a few items we love to show off:

Silver, Sherpa Coral and Glass Necklace.

Yemeni beads of black coral embellished with silver, 1800s, and silver beads, 1800s; sherpa coral; coco disks and sand-cast glass beads from West Africa; Lohan carved beads from Asia, representing the guardians of Buddhism; pre-1700s Persian spindle whorls; and Su’s signature hand-fabricated sterling silver clasp.

Sherpa Coral, Black Coral and Silver Earrings.

Su has combined Sherpa coral glass beads from the Himalayas (1700s) with very rare black coral embedded with silver in Yemen (1800s); old silver beads from India; woven disks of fine silver from the Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle; and hand-fabricated sterling silver.

Sherpa Coral and Silver Earrings.

Sherpa coral glass beads from the Himalayas (1700s); small black Peking glass from the Hill Tribes of the Golden Triangle; silver beads from India; hard-carved stone beads from China; and hand-fabricated sterling silver.

For further information on these and other pieces, please visit the Jewelry Section in our online shop.

Web Site Changes

2010-04-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

A note to everyone who is a "regular" here on the blog or at our web site:

We're doing some work on the main areas of the site to revamp and improve our service. Please bear with us!

April Show: Spring Fiber Collection

2010-04-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

It is truly amazing to contemplate that our last post was in December of last year, and we've been so busy that here we are talking about April!

This month we showcase the extraordinary designs of textile artists Maggy Pavlou, Britt Rynearson, Joyce Wilkerson, and Arlene Wohl. Britt Rynearson is a Bainbridge Island native and is currently featured in Ornament Magazine. The gallery’s upcoming show features her sculptural silk shibori scarves and shawls as well as a new line of long vests and shibori silk tops. As noted in Ornament, "it is tempting to think of Rynearson as a sculptor whose medium is silk."

We also carry the work of these exceptional artists in our web shop. Please stop in for a visit - there are many treats to be found!

5th Annual Wearable Art Show

2009-12-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

We'll be posting photos of Eva's new work in our web shop soon, as well as some truly stunning new jewelry and textile art.

WEB SHOP IS OPEN!

2009-06-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

For the better part of this year, we've been working away at our online gallery shop, and - ta-da! - it has just gone live!

VISIT OUR WEB SITE AND SHOP ONLINE!
www.theislandgallery.net/shop/

Concert Postponed - Rescheduled

2009-05-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

Our March 27th concert has been rescheduled! The new date is Friday, June 5th at 7:30 p.m., in the gallery. These will be Viola Quintets, featuring Mozart, Quintet in c, K 406; Dvorak, Quintet, Op. 97; and Beethoven, Quintet in C, Op. 29. Performers: Stephen Bryant and Rachael Pearson, violins; Sue Jane Bryant and Sayaka Kokubo, violas; and Rich Eckert, cello.

Chamber Music at the Gallery

2009-02-17T18:11:00.000-08:00

This Friday, February 20th, at 7:30 p.m., we kick off The Island Gallery's 3rd Spring Concert Series. Friday's program features Beau Metro Quartet playing Szymanowski: Quartet #2, Op.56; Shostakovich: Quartet #3, Op.73; and Schumann: Quartet #2, Op.42. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance at the gallery, or at the door the evening of the show.

Beau Metro Quartet is comprised of Stephen Bryant, violin; Tom Dziekonski, violin; Sue Jane Bryant, viola; and Virginia Dziekonski, cello. All four are highly respected artists not only in the Pacific Northwest, but nationally and internationally as well. Their precision performances, combined with the gallery's brilliant acoustics, have delighted audiences the last two seasons, making this series so popular that most past shows have sold out. This spring, seating will be slightly more limited, so if at the last minute you plan to attend, please call ahead!

Bread Pudding Bake-Off: Results

2009-02-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

Well, once again it was quite a night at the gallery as hundreds of townsfolk turned out and, spoons at the ready, sampled and voted on the 19 pudding entries. In all categories, the voting was exceptionally tight this year. There were several ties and no losers—every pudding was amazing. An extra vote here or there could easily have changed the outcomes! However, after several recounts and the occasional battle over hanging chads, here are the Official Results!

Best Of Show (Tie):

Melinda Hyra
Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

Metro Market Catering
Northwest blueberry & brioche Bread Pudding
with lemon thyme & lemon curd brulée

Gold Amateur

Melinda Hyra
Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

Gold Pro

Metro Market Catering
Northwest blueberry & brioche Bread Pudding
with lemon thyme & lemon curd brulee

Silver Amateur (Tie)

Chris Baran-Mickle
West Sound Academy Banana Bread Pudding
with Pecans & Banana Rum Sauce

BI Special Needs Foundation
Donut Inspired Bread Pudding

Silver Pro

Stephanie of Course Catering
Savory Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding

Bronze Winners, Honorable Mention:
Amateur

Ellen Gunderson
French orange delight Bread Pudding: French bread, plump orange raisins,
Saigon cinnamon, fresh orange sauce with Grand Marnier

Joan Sandler
Cranberry & Brown Sugar Bread Pudding

Pro
Salmon Canyon Café
Classic bread & butter pudding

Bronze Runners-Up:

SueJane Bryant • Carol Corbus • Dani Hemmat • Debbie Hollyer

Leinette Noritake • Susan Roth • Marylynne Sirutis • John Sydor
Doc’s Marina Grill • Harbour Pub • Pegasus Coffee House

Our thanks to all the magnificent bakers who put their time, talents and hearts into this event. For more details, including the final amount raised for Helpline House, which is, after all, what this is all about, please stay tuned to our blog.

By the way: Is anyone interested in an official cookbook featuring the Bake-Off's Best Recipes? Let us know - we're considering it.

February Shows: Early Warning

2009-01-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

. . . Or should we say Early Warming?

For everyone feeling the effects of the mid-winter chill, here is a month of shows especially for you:

Warm Art
Women Artists of the West
February 6-28, 2009

The work of artists whose creations warm us, one way or another

Above: Jacket by Maggy Pavlou

Textiles and Wearable Art:
Elizabeth Merrill, Port Townsend, Washington
Lynn Mizono, Whidbey Island, Washington
Britt Rynearson, Seattle, Washington
Janice Speck, Port Townsend, Washington
Arlene Wohl, Sausalito, California
Introducing: Maggy Pavlou, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Try on our warm collection of Beyond Threads sweaters, shawls, skirts and jackets

Check out our selection of Valentine's Day jewelry

Woodworking:
Helga Winter, Port Townsend, Washington

Hand-turned wooden bowls

Sculpture:
Alison Keogh, Seattle, Washington

A new installation: Bronze Petals

Painting:
Tracy Dunn, Bainbridge Island, Washington

Kimono Series, continuing.

First Friday, February 6, 6-8 pm:

The 4th Annual Bainbridge Island Pro-Am

Bread Pudding Bakeoff!

Once again, The Island Gallery sponsors this popular benefit for Helpline House.

See past postings for detailed Entry and Tasting information.

Friday, February 20, 2009:

The Island Gallery Spring Concert Series begins Friday, February 20th with chamber music from the Beau Metro Quartet. 7:30pm. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 students/seniors

(Reserve seats early - seating is limited and these concerts usually sell out.)

Bread Pudding Bakeoff Entry Form

2009-01-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

Here are several ways to make sure your splendiferous bread pudding is registered for the 4th Annual Bainbridge Island Bread Pudding Bakeoff, Friday, February 6, 2009:

1. Below is a downloadable copy of the Bread Pudding Bakeoff entry form and rules.

To download the form: Right-click on the image, hit Save As, and choose a file to save it on your computer. You can then print it, fill it in, and return the form via regular mail (address is on the form) with your $5.00 registration fee (checks are fine), or drop it off at the gallery no later than February 4th.

2. If you prefer, you can e-mail the required information (see sections 3 and 4) to sr@theislandgallery.net and call 206-780-9500 to register with a credit card.

Could it be any easier?

Yes!

3. Call 206-780-9500 and register over the phone. We'll fill in the form for you.

By the way, we neglected to include the following "rules": Participants should taste/vote early and often, and please encourage your friends to stuff the ballot box!

We will soon be announcing the details of our February show, opening the evening of the Bakeoff. Stay tuned!

Bread Pudding? Huh??

2009-01-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

What's this rumor about vast quantities of delicious bread pudding suddenly being prepared in kitchens all over Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County? About local restaurants dusting off their favorite recipes or inventing new ones, about local amateur bakers scrounging through granny's old cookbooks in search of the Perfect Pudding? All for a really, really good cause?

Well, it's true, and that glorious scent beginning to waft over the island means only one thing: one of the year's most popular events is right around the corner. On Friday, February 6, 2009 we sponsor our yearly benefit for Helpline House, also known as. . .

The 4th Annual Bainbridge Island Pro-Am
Bread Pudding Bakeoff!

Here's how it works:

Bakers, Pro and Am: Call or come in for a registration form (there's a small registration fee, $5 per entry, donated to Helpline House). Whip up your finest, most artful, sweet or savory bread pudding (or two, if you like). Bring it/them to the gallery around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 6th.

Last year we had 23 puddings, including: Flaming French Bread Pudding with Walnuts; Momma’s Scoop of Heaven Bread Pudding; Pan de Sal and Toasted Coconut; Amaretto Bread Pudding with Almond Sauce; Savory Pudding with Cornbread, Caramelized Onions and Jack Cheese; Piña Colada Bread Pudding; Cherrywood Smoked Bread Pudding with Butter Sautéed Apples & Home-Made Caramel Sauce; Pear Frangelica Pudding with Hazelnuts and a Frangelica Sauce; Seattle Mocha Bread Pudding; Oklahoma Southern Comfort Bread Pudding with Pecans, Shredded Coconut, and Southern Comfort-Soaked Raisins.

Are we drooling yet?

February 1, 2008: A fine array of puddings. . .

Tasters (i.e., everyone): Come to the gallery between 6-8 pm to taste and vote on Bainbridge Island's Best Bread Pudding. Buy tickets, at $1.00 per ticket, each ticket entitling you to one taste of one pudding. Do Not Attempt To Control Yourself! Try as many puddings as you like. Every dollar you spend goes directly to Helpline House, our community food bank and resource center. You can even throw in a donation in addition to ticket purchases - it's for a good cause, folks!

February 1, 2008: Let the tasting begin! The locals dig in.

Voting: After you've sampled as many puddings as possible and if you are still standing, vote for your favorite by dropping your tickets in the lucky pudding's vote jar. You can apportion your votes, too, say by giving five votes to your favorite, three to your second favorite, and two to your third favorite (that's only $10 - a sweet deal!). Around 8:00 we count the votes, and hand out medals in the following categories: Bronze Runners-Up and Honorable Mentions; Silver, Amateur; Silver, Pro; Gold, Amateur; Gold, Pro; and Gold, Best of Show.

Last Year's Grand Prize Winner:

Ron Wade

Best of Show and Best Amateur gold medals

for his

Raisin Cloud Bread Pudding

with Croissants and Caramel Sauce.

The Money: Every penny we raise goes to Helpline House, including registration fees. Last year we raised over $800 for this worthy cause; this year, with your generosity, we'll do even better!

Bakers, check back soon - we'll try to post a downloadable registration form. In the meantime, if you're ready to sign up now, contact us at ssn@theislandgallery.net or sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll e-mail you a form. Please return before Wednesday, February 4, 2009, with all information filled in, and the registration fee. Or, call the gallery at 206-780-9500.

More information about this wonderful event coming soon!

Alison Keogh: Artist's Talk

2009-01-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

The Island Gallery is delighted to announce that Seattle artist Alison Keogh will be giving a talk in the gallery on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Please join us as the artist discusses the techniques and inspirations for her stunning work (see posting below).

Refreshments will be served.

Introducing Alison Keogh

2008-12-11T12:32:00.001-08:00

If you haven't had a chance to drop in and see our current exhibit, Landscape - a different view: Collection of works by Alison Keogh, we highly recommend you take a few moments for a visit. The Seattle artist’s remarkable newsprint reliefs, graphite botanicals, bronze geologic landscapes, driftwood & newsprint artifacts, and Sumi-scapes have all been very well received; we have never seen anything quite like Alison's work. Here are a few photos, including close-ups of the work:

Alison Keogh; sumiscape installation in background.

Artist Statement

This collection of work represents my personal landscapes – capturing a dialogue with the natural world

Each piece and series expresses itself through repetition and texture. The act of repetition brings about a state of intensified awareness during the creative process and is reinforced in the final work.

I work with elemental materials that require a direct tactile manipulation using minimal tools. Graphite, paper, newsprint and sumi ink are all derived from trees. The materials may change, but the process of repetition and the exploration to reveal the invisible remains constant.

Increasingly my breath has become an important part of the process and I now consciously match my movements with my breath.

The exhibition “Landscape – a different view” provides the viewer with an alternative perspective to experience the materials with a changed perception.

Exhibition Notes:

Newsprint Reliefs

Newsprint relief: The Financial Times, given a new look!

These reliefs depict patterns of my breath as I manipulate layers of the British Financial Times newspaper into topographical landscapes.

Selected sheets of the stock market pages are first treated with a deacidification product for longevity and then carefully torn into strips. Next, the edges are treated with ink. The work is built-up layer upon layer. Finally a protective coating of archival varnish is applied.

The wave like texture is achieved by forming a loop in the strip of paper and securing it with a bookbinding adhesive. I pay attention to my breathing as I do this; each loop is an inhalation or an exhalation. The work creates its own field of consciousness. The impermanence of the paper is analogous to the impermanence of our thoughts. The stock market pages are used for their visual consistency.

This series concerns the discovery of nature within the newspaper. It transcends the ordinary daily purpose as a conveyor of “news”… and now expresses itself through an altered state of being.

Graphite Botanicals

Chestnut Leaves, graphite on Japanese kozo paper

These are a series of intricate studies of plant matter using the mediums of graphite and Japanese kozo paper. I have captured the structure of plants with a precise but subtle sensuality.

This work was originally exhibited in Sweden under the title “Graphite Impressions”. It evolved from my interest in printing and more particularly “frottage”.

The leaves are pressed, dried and selected for individual vein structure. Then they are carefully attached to a small square card to preserve their fragility during the frottage process. The leaf square is placed under the Japanese paper and the graphite is rubbed over the top. Each impression is created individually.

The work is presented in a contemporary and abstract manner to create a new perspective. Some of the plant materials used include maize, red oak, cabbage and chestnut leaves.

Sumi-scapes

My current work with sumi ink is a continuation of the Newsprint Reliefs: the preoccupation with line as texture and the conscious involvement of my breath as I work.

In most cases an inhalation is represented as a light fine line, an exhalation being heavier and thicker.

Two types of brushes are used which create distinctly different results. The heavy weight paper was selected for the smooth finish which affects the manner in which the ink is absorbed.

There is an underlying motive of self discovery through the act of cultivating calmness and concentration during the work.

While experiencing the karesansui (dry gardens) in Japan this year and in particular the garden at Ryoan-ji Temple, I discovered a connection with my Sumi-scape line drawings. The exact nature of this connection continues to unfold as I develop this exciting new medium.

-Alison Keogh

Celebrating Our 6th Anniversary

2008-12-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, December 5th, 2008, The Island Gallery began the celebration of its 6th Anniversary by opening two distinct exhibitions. The Artists’ Reception ran from 6-8 pm; both shows will continue in place until January 23th, 2009.

Our 4th Annual Wearable Art Show features the following artists:

Textile Artists:

Barbara de Jounge, Laguna Beach, California; Isnia, Yogyakarta, Java Island, Indonesia; Akihiko Izukura, Kyoto, Japan; Elizabeth Merrill, Port Townsend, Washington; Lynn Mizono, Whidbey Island, Washington; David Mendoza, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia; Nubia, Bainbridge Island, Washington; Britt Rynearson, Seattle, Washington; Carter Smith, Nahant, Massachusetts; Arlene Wohl, Sausalito, California.

Above: Barbara de Jounge; Britt Rynearson; Britt Rynearson; Carter Smith; Akihiko Izukura

Jewelry Artists: Sophie Bryant, Bainbridge Island, Washington; Shelley Herman, Studio City, California; Lucia, Bainbridge Island, Washington; David Mendoza, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia; Su Olsen, Bainbridge Island, Washington;Virginia Paquette, Seattle, Washington;Cleva Rose, Poulsbo, Washington; Roger Wilbur, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Lou Zeldis, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Above: Virginia Paquette; Cleva Rose; Rober Wilbur;

Su Olsen; Lucia

Also featuring Kimono Series Paintings by Bainbridge Island Artist Tracy Dunn:

Above: Ruth Akie Dancing; Michie; The Way Forward; Sisters (diptych)

In the North Gallery, introducing
Landscape - a different view
Collection of works by Alison Keogh

Above: "Chestnut Leaves" Graphite Botanical; Newsprint Relief #7

The Seattle artist’s personal landscapes, capturing a dialogue with the natural world in newsprint reliefs, graphite botanicals, bronze geologic landscapes, driftwood & newsprint artifacts, and
sumi-scapes.

Crowds admiring Alison's Sumi-scape installation.

I'll write more about Alison in an upcoming posting, including more images and her Exhibition Notes.

Glass Ornaments are Here

2008-12-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

Ted Jolda recently sent us a great big batch of his delightful glass ornaments. Starting at $20, these are perfect for gifts, on the Christmas tree, or to brighten a kitchen window. Also available are pretty hand-forged copper hooks that fit the ornaments perfectly (regular wire ornament hooks aren't quite sturdy enough - nor as attractive). They're $1.50 each.

Pinecone, Golden Pears, Orange, Apples

Eggplant, Coffe Beans, Figs

We also carry Ted's pomegranates, strawberries, red and green mini-pears, red, green and gold apples, blueberries, blackberries, peppers, garlic, ladybugs, golf balls, and snowmen!

(Check out one of our past posts for Ted's Oprah connection - a wonderful story.)

More Beasts!

2008-12-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of Eva Funderburgh's new critters:

Goat Tailed Beast

Two Birds

Eggbelly

LittleBuddy

Fall Shows: South Sound Fire, 3 X 3

2008-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

In September and October, the gallery welcomed another group of talented artists: the crew of woodfire potters who regularly fire at the Benn/Gallagher Harstine Island kilns, and three local woodworkers whose furniture and sculptures from local and exotic woods are still creating buzz.

Artists, pottery on South Sound Fire's opening night

Bob and Birgit Spangler show off a lighted buffet

South Sound Fire Artists: John Benn and Colleen Gallagher (kiln owners), Harstine Island; John Harris, Auburn; Chris Knapp, Seattle; Andy Lewis-Lechner, Tacoma; Susan Lochner, Auburn; Reid Ozaki, Tacoma.

3 X 3 Artists: Cecil Ross, Bainbridge Island; Robert Spangler, Bainbridge Island; Howard Todd, Kingston.

New Beasts

2008-09-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Eva Funderburgh, one of the three artists involved in our "Beasts of the Kiln" exhibit last May, brought us a few new ceramic pals last week. Meet "A Monster for Todd #2" (2 views):

This little guy is wood-fired porcelain, has several rows of tiny pearly white teeth, and is frankly delighted with his pull toy.

Irresistible? We think so!

Early Warning!

2008-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick list of some of our upcoming events this fall:

Now through August 29th: "Fiber Face" Batik Exhibition.

August 30th: Gypsy Jazz! Sizzling hot Bainbridge Island quintet Ranger and the Re-Arrangers returns for their final performance in our popular Summer Jazz Series. 7:30 p.m. at the gallery. E-mail us for more ticket info. (On the right you'll see Ranger on fiddle, Dave Stewart on mandolin.)

September 5th - 28th: South Sound Fire: Wood Fired Ceramics from the Benn/Gallagher Harstine Island Kilns. Artists: John Benn, Colleen Gallagher, John Harris, Chris Knapp, Andrew Lewis-Lechner, Susan Lochner, Reid Ozaki. (That's John Benn on the left, with lots of pots.)

September 13th: Returning by popular demand, The Geordie Kelly Jazz Quartet. 7:30 p.m. at the gallery. E-mail us for more ticket info.

October 3rd - 31st: "3 x 3: Wood Furniture & Sculpture - Three New Works by Three Area Artists". Cecil Ross, Robert Spangler, Howard Todd.

November: TBA

December 3rd - 31st: Annual Wearable Art Show.

Back by Popular Demand!

2008-07-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

We're very happy to announce that the fabulous Geordie Kelly Jazz Quartet is adding a concert date to our 2008 Summer Jazz Series! The group will be back in the gallery on Saturday night, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. If you haven't heard them yet, don't miss out - this will be their last performance before Geordie goes back to Washington, D.C., to his new post with the Navy Band there.

Something Completely Different. . .

2008-07-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

There are many wonderful artists in our region - the Pacific Northwest - who produce beautiful art in all sorts of different disciplines. Since its inception in December of 2002, The Island Gallery has focused primarily on wearable art (textiles, jewelry), wood fired ceramics, wood sculpture and furniture, and basketry. The Northwest is particularly known for its glasswork, so we've often been tempted to carry it. But we've resisted, in hopes of discovering Something Different.

Here's what we found.

Introducing to the gallery: Ted Jolda.

Ted is one of Canada's best known glass artists and has been called the nation's preeminent ornament maker. Working primarily in glass since 1985, Ted has received international recognition for his work. As well as being in the collections of the royal houses of the Netherlands and England, his work is in the collections of the Canadian Craft Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass, and has been exhibited internationally in numerous group shows representing the finest of contemporary Canadian Art. Ted was chosen to create the goblets for the formal table of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and later was asked to expand the set to accommodate the eighteen heads of state attending the 1999 APEC conference in Vancouver. His work has been presented to presidents, prime ministers and heads of state around the world.

Ted comments on a recent brush with retail nirvana:

This is one of the things I get asked most about . . . No I didn't meet Oprah. Nor did I send her any of my work. I had an agent, who for a couple of years took my stuff to the big Gift Trade Shows out east. In New York some of Oprah's personal shoppers saw my ornaments at the booth and liked them. Bought some and took them to show Oprah. She liked them and put them in her magazine. I knew nothing of this until about a week before the magazine came out. It was great. It was amazing. It was an incredible year. I made little else for the next year. My income (for that one year only) more than doubled. We were able to buy a new washer, a new - to us - car, and a new refrigerator. Paid a bit off the mortgage. That's it, that's all. The next year I was no longer the 'new thing' and sales went back to their old - well actually slightly worse than their old levels. I had lost some clients that I couldn't supply with other work while I was making pears. I'm not complaining. Variety is good. But it was amazing while it lasted.

In the year following the appearance of his Golden Pear ornaments on The O List, Ted personally hand-blew 10,000+ ornaments for which he had received back orders. Happily, he has lived to tell about it, and we welcome Ted as the first glass artist to be represented by The Island Gallery.

I'll post more of his designs - but if you are already thirsting to see them, here's a cutie, available just in time for Christmas:

Lumps of Coal. . .

Stay tuned!

- Susan R., sales manager

We're Blogging!

2008-07-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Island Gallery's Art Blog!

We're excited to take our first step into this enhanced (and fun!) form of communication, where we will be able to post images and impressions of the wonderful art work that comes through our doors, and where you can send us your thoughts and responses. We'll keep you posted on our upcoming shows, our concert series, and introduce you to great new artists. You can also go to our extensive web site, http://www.theislandgallery.net/, to view past and present exhibits, press releases, artists' statements, essays, and our artists' pages.

So check back often. The Island Gallery is always a work in progress, as is this site, and I know we're going to have a great time together.

- Susan R., sales manager