< Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 >

Five Sumi-e artists present their 2009 show of Asian ink-and-brush paintings. Sumi technique is an ancient art form, using brush strokes that are simple, elegant and serene. Paintings feature nature scenes and calligraphy.

Fine Balance Imaging will sponsor the fourth annual Gratitude Giclée Art Show during the month of February. Each year Fine Balance Imaging offers this show opportunity to their artist clients in gratitude for their business, and all sale proceeds go directly to the artists. The art will be showing in the Hub of the Bayview Cash Store for the whole month, and there will be a special show in the gallery next to Open Door Gallery from February 19 to 28. Join us for the Artists' Reception at the Bayview Cash on February 20 from 5:00 to 8:00pm.

See the Images of the Universe in the Studio at Fine Balance Imaging on the second floor of Bayview Cash Store, 5603 Bayview Road in Langley. Images from NASA literally cover the walls of the Studio. Photos of galaxies and nebulas, printed on satin fabric, can be purchased from Fine Balance Imaging. See all of the images available for prints on the website at www.fbistudios.com/galleries.

"I spend a lot of time thinking about America, who we are as a people and a culture and a nation, and I have always felt that the theatre is a truly appropriate place to examine these issues, the way David Hare examines what it means to be British, or Brian Friel examines what it means to be Irish.

I am a woman, I am an American, I am a mother, I sometimes write for television, and I sometimes write movies; I play the piano, I knit, I rail at the universe; I am angry, I am sad; I am a comic realist, a misanthrope, and an idealist. There are many ways to categorize me, and my work. But for myself, I would most like to be considered a playwright."

Discussion led by Amy Wheeler

7 days at an idyllic world-renowned women writers retreat on Whidbey Island, and exceptional writing workshops with a celebrated writer. Each resident writer is housed in her own handcrafted cottage in the woods with a sleeping loft, work area and wood-burning stove. Meals are prepared by Hedgebrook’s in-house chef using fresh produce from our organic garden. The 48-acre retreat features forest walking paths, ponds and meadows, views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, and quiet areas for writing, reading and meditating. A beautiful beach and charming seaside village are nearby.

The week-long session includes: Ten hours of workshops over 5 days with playwright Theresa Rebeck (Feb 3 - 9, 2010) or poet Carolyn Forché (Mar 8 - 14, 2010), instructor-led constructive group feedback sessions, one-on-one sessions with the instructor and two additional days of retreat time. Space is limited to six writers per session.