Orcas Island Artworks  | San Juan County |  | Eastsound |  |
Guides |
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Address http://www.orcasisland.com/artworks Olga Eastsound, WA 98280 (360) 376-4408 |
Hours Every day 10:00am - 6:00pm |
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From ferry, follow Horseshoe Highway toward Eastsound. Pass Eastsound and continue on the Horshoe Highway toward Moran State Park. Pass through the park and find Orcas Island Artworks just south of the park, about a 20- minute drive from Eastsound.
Description:
More than 70 artists belong to the Orcas Island Artworks, one of the oldest cooperative galleries in the Northwest. Only local artists from Orcas and Waldron Islands can display their art or join the gallery, making it a very unique place. Artists volunteer their time at the non-profit gallery in exchange for a place to show their works. The commission paid to the gallery by the artists is dependent upon how much time the artist spends working at the gallery.
In 1981, a group of local Orcas Island artists first came up with the idea for the co-op. They found a space at the old Strawberry Barreling Plant which was built in 1938, and turned it into a space that today offers an ecletic collection of artwork.
The typical idea of a gallery may conjure images of overpriced watercolor paintings or $1,000 sculptures just waiting to be broken with one wrong move. But this gallery is different. The Orcas Island Artworks is extremely accessible with fun, inexpensive art items for sale as well as major pieces of art. This diversity is due to the many types of artists whose work is represented here. The art includes pottery, sweaters, handspun yarn, jewelry, ceramics, cards, glass art, paintings and some offbeat items as well. A favorite is the Deep Sheep collection. The artist has constructed items out of sheep wool, including colorful balls, little sheep refrigerator magnets and cards. Another artist works with silver and has created big funky rings and necklaces.
A poster out front displays the work of a featured artist every month. It includes a photo and description about how the art is created. Visiting this gallery is a good way to support the local artists and learn a little about how they work. Note: The gallery closes from January to February for the winter.
Written By: Diana Wurn
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