BIMA: The Art of Furniture 1

We here at The Island Gallery are pleased to share this announcement, and congratulate our fabulous artists who have had their work selected for inclusion in Bainbridge Island Museum of Art's new exhibit:

For further information click on the link to visit BIMA's web site. 

Here are some of the pieces included in the exhibit

These and other items by the same artists can be seen in the Furniture section of our online shop; simply click here for a viewing and information.

Gallery Strolling...?

Over the years, we've noted that First Friday Artwalks here on Beautiful Bainbridge Island can take many forms:  bustling and jolly at the holidays, sedate and serious, even drowsy on occasions, especially when one of our trademark Northwest monsoons blows through.  Things can get quiet - or crazy - very quickly.  We never know, really, what to expect.  But this past Friday had a new feeling, something a little different, that we couldn't pin down at first.  We've attempted to analyze this vibe, however, and finally came up with an appropriate descriptor.

Relaxed. 

Sort of a Parisien Boulevardier kind of relaxed, wherein the townfolk Art-Strolled rather than Art-Walked.  Perhaps had a sip of wine here and there, perhaps nibbled on hors d'oeuvres or little chocolate Easter eggs, then entered the Gallery to the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar, and suddenly exhaled.  Relaxed.

Ah-ha, that's what made the difference:  Peter Spencer and his guitar.

Peter began the evening with a string of wonderfully executed instrumentals, treating us to tunes ranging from the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel to Pachelbel's Canon in D.  Once the audience was sufficiently entranced he switched to soulful, bluesy vocals, keeping the mood mellow, casual, Art-Strolly.

Relaxed.

We loved it.  Everyone loved it.

Keep an eye on this blog as we announce more musical events with Peter and other local musicians.  You're going to want to save the dates!

Update: March Music

We've just confirmed that musician/singer/songwriter Peter Spencer will join us for this month's First Friday Artwalk!

Peter will perform a casual set, beginning around 6 pm this coming Friday, March 1st.  For more information on Peter, check out several of our earlier posts.

Please join us, have a sip of wine, and enjoy the mingling of art and music.

(For event invitations sent directly to your inbox, e-mail us at sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll sign you up.)

March 2013 First Friday Artwalk: You're Invited!

Bonnets, Baskets and Beads

~  Hints of Spring  ~

March 1 - 31, 2013

Opening Reception First Friday, March 1st, 6-8 pm

Musical Performance To Be Announced

Images above, clockwise from left:

Duchess, Carol Campbell; Felted Wool Basket with Speckled Feathers, Doriane Nieburgs;

Ceramic Beads, Various Artists

As hints of spring appear, our thoughts turn toward lighter skies and remembered blossoms.

The Island Gallery presents a selection of luscious spring bonnets from Seattle artist Carol Campbell, fit for any Downton Abbey-style garden party; lightweight, whimsical felted wool baskets embellished with baubles and feathers by Doriane Nieburgs of Seattle; and necklaces featuring remarkable beads, including old trade beads and contemporary ceramic beads.

Highlights: New works from jewelry artists Virginia Paquette and Christine L. Sundt.

These and other wonderful pieces will soon be available in our web shop.

To receive an invitation directly in your inbox, and notifications of other events, send your

e-mail address to us at sr@theislandgallery.net and we'll sign you up right away!

Rockin' the House!

This past First Friday, February 1st, during the Artwalk, the Gallery and patrons enjoyed a rollicking evening of music and song, thanks to the talents of Bainbridge Island guitarist and singer/songwriter Peter Spencer, Seattle Symphony bassist Jonathan Greene, and singer Caleb Spencer.  Beginning with a tender instrumental run of Lennon-McCartney songs, including the beautiful yet seldom-performed "Yes It Is" and the more familiar "Across the Universe" and "Hey Jude", they turned up the heat to lay down take-no-prisoners versions of well-known blues and rock songs, including "Mercury Blues", as well as several of Peter's own compositions. 

The crowd stayed, rocked, enjoyed, bought Peter's CDs, and left with a unanimous request:  "Bring 'em back!  Soon!!"

We hope to do just that. 

Thanks to all who attended, family and friends, and to our wonderful performers, Peter, Jon and Caleb, for giving us a memorable evening while taking the roof off The Winslow!

How to keep posted:  If you're on our subscription list we'll automatically send you advance warning of the Gallery's next musical event.  If not, you can sign up and receive notices of all events, including sales and shows, by simply sending an e-mail to sr@theislandgallery.net.  And, of course, be sure to check back here often.

P.S.:  A dwindling supply of Peter's CDs is still available at the Gallery for $15.00 each.  Please contact the gallery at ssn@theislandgallery.net or 206.780.9500 to order or for further information. 

Treats for the Sweet



Pretty in Pink



Our amazing local textile and beading artist, Janet Essa Elia, came by on this chilly winter day with a new selection of her very popular floral brooches which can double as hairpins, ornaments for a purse or belt, or even a sassy addition to the toe or heel of a perfect black shoe.  Like little harbingers of spring, they warmed us with their good cheer.  We are inspired to spread around the joy: 

Janet is a native of Iraq where for 15 years she owned and operated a well-known atelier in Baghdad, specializing in custom-made, beaded clothing and accessories. She left there in 2009 and has lived in the U.S. - here on Bainbridge Island - since then. All her designs are original, and employ traditional Middle Eastern methods. The decorative work is applied by hand, using needle and thread.



Red and Purple Gauze



During the rule of Saddam Hussein, when Janet established her business, it was highly unusual for women to own independent businesses in Iraq. In fact, it still is. Besides dressmaking generally, her atelier was considered to be the finest source of custom wedding dresses and bridal accessories in Baghdad, and attracted a prominent clientele. In Iraq, weddings are extremely important social occasions and tend to be very large. Wedding trousseaux, whether traditional or modern, are typically highly decorated.

Turquoise Layers

The jewelry and accessories Janet produces are entirely hand-made by her, and are inspired by the traditions of decorated clothing with which she grew up and by contemporary international design. Her work is sold in a number of Pacific Northwest galleries and she collaborates with custom couturier designers on wedding apparel, bridal accessories, and custom gowns. Additionally, she has been featured in numerous exhibitions in the Seattle area including the Seattle Bridal Show, the Red Dress Competition, the Seattle Metropolitan Fashion Week competition, and an American Cancer Society benefit at the Museum of Flight.  Janet also offers her line of purses and framed art pieces. 

Mindful that Valentine's Day is right around the corner, our Gallery Picks for February will feature gift suggestions (including several of Janet's new brooches) for that certain someone, or even a little something for yourself...

Pure Valentine Red!

For further information or to purchase one of Janet's pieces, click on the links beneath the photos or visit the Gallery's web shop at:
www.theislandgallery.net/shop/

To receive early warnings of sales, exhibitions and musical events, send us an e-mail:
sr@theislandgallery.net

An Evening of Music

The Island Gallery is delighted to welcome back guitarist Peter Spencer for a special musical event, performing in the Gallery with bassist Jonathan Green during February's First Friday Artwalk.

An Evening of Music

 First Friday, February 1, 2013, 6-8 pm

The Island Gallery

400 Winslow Way E., #120

Bainbridge Island, Washington
(Underground Parking Available - Enter Off Ericksen Avenue) 

Peter Spencer is a fingerpicking guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, he grew up listening to the R&B and hillbilly music played on radio stations like WLAC in Nashville and CKLW in Windsor, Ontario. He began his musical career in 1968 playing harmonica in a blues band in Pittsburgh, but soon switched to solo guitar. Peter spent the 1970s touring North America and Europe playing early blues, jazz and ragtime. Then, in the early 1980s, he began writing songs, co-founding the Fast Folk Musician's Cooperative in Greenwich Village, New York, where he worked with artists like Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplanski, Cliff Eberhardt, and Jack Hardy. These recordings are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

After graduating from The Writing Program at Columbia University in 1989, Peter retired from performing and became a full-time music writer for magazines like Rolling Stone and Sing Out. His book "World Beat: A Listener's Guide to Contemporary World Music on CD" was published by the Chicago Review Press in 1992.

Peter returned to performing with the 2000 release "New Hope and Wise Virgins," followed by a series of releases beginning with an album of original and classic blues called "Nobody's Daddy" in 2005. "Handsignal," another album of original songs, followed in 2006. Later that year came "Gathering Light," an album of Christmas music for solo guitar. In 2007 he released "The Blues Concert," recorded live on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and in 2009 "From the Island," another set of original songs.

His newest album, released in the Spring of 2011, is called "1896," recorded simply with his voice and an 1896 Washburn parlor guitar in a Bainbridge Island schoolhouse that was also built in 1896.

Peter has been called a "guitar wizard" by Seattle's Victory Music News and "a gifted lyricist with a sharp eye" by the New Jersey Star-Ledger. He tours regularly in the Northeast and throughout the Pacific Northwest and teaches guitar and voice at the Dusty Strings Music School in Seattle and the Island Music Center of Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Jonathan Green is a distinguished bassist with the Seattle Symphony, active as well in chamber-music and new-music circles.

Admission is free.  For further information please contact the Gallery:

Phone:

206.780.9500

E-mail:

ssn@theislandgallery.net

Web shop:

theislandgallery.net/shop/

Sign up to receive e-mail alerts for upcoming events, newsletter, sales by e-mailing:

sr@theislandgallery.net

Bread Pudding Bake-Off Winners

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!!

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

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!

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.