< Saturday, February 6th 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.

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.

Set in rural Louisiana during World War II, this play follows the lives of six women thrown together by the war. Three young wives are living with their husbands' mother in her home, waiting for the men to return. The family's situation is chronicled in the local press by reporter Addie May and is picked up by Life magazine, whose reporter is struggling to compete for good assignments in a male-dominated world. From the monologues of the women, who make up six of the seven cast members, to the interplay between them, there is something that makes the audience uncomfortable and ill at ease in the best possible sense. The play is not meant for children.

Tickets $16

Open Door Gallery + Coffee's Second Annual theme show for the month of February, "Arts, Hearts, and Hammers" is a fundraiser for the Hearts & Hammers organization on Whidbey Island. A reception and silent auction will be held on Sat. Feb. 6th from 5pm - 8:30pm. Most of the work will relate in some way to tools, houses, construction, heart, hearth, and home. Literal, philosophical, playful, spiritual, abstract and all mediums and interpretations will be in the auction.

Hearts & Hammers is a one-day blitz to repair and rehabilitate the homes of those physically or financially unable to do so. Visit www.heartsandhammers.com for more information on the organization.

Artist reception on Feb. 5th 5:00pm - 8:00pm, show runs through end of Feb. Her oil paintings catch the Northwest flavor and share the way she feels about the area.

Opening reception Feb. 5th, show runs through March 3rd. The female body has long been one of the classic subjects for artists and is without a doubt one of the most complicated and ever variable. Whidbey painter, Ken Hassrick spent more than 30 years exploring this evocative subject. This retrospective of his work will feature figurative compositions that range from realism to abstract.

A joint venture with Carpenter Creek Winery and Pasek Cellars at Dusty Cellars Winery.

Sound Waters, held each year on the 1st Sat. in February, provides a one day university for all to help the public learn about a wide variety of topics related to the appreciation and stewardship of our environment and marine resources. Year after year, it is the largest public gathering held in Island County for marine, nearshore and environmental education. This year, our keynote speaker with be Dr. Nathaniel Scholz of NOAA, who will speak on the impact of storm water on Puget Sound.

Participants must register in advance.

The tasting features Meads. Tastings occur the 1st and 3rd Sat. of every month and feature a different type of beer. The Beer Works has a selection of over 600 beers, ciders, meads and wines.

Learn and enjoy the benefits of using seasonal, locally produced ingredients in the Classic French Tradition while cooking and dinning with renowned Chef and Provence native David Amar. The event is produced by the Northwest Language Academy (NWLA) and co-sponsored by Slow Food, Whidbey Chapter. Proceeds from the event will go to NWLA’s scholarship fund for children’s summer language camp

$58 includes cooking class and dinner, reservations only

Enjoy the romantic ambiance of the Captain Whidbey Inn, learn and laugh in a 6-hour creative "Playshop" that will add fun and intimacy to your partnership, then share a romantic candlelit dinner at the Ship of Fools Restaurant.

Package cost starting at $375 per couple

Brackenwood Gallery is thrilled to present a show reflecting the travels of three fine artists, Anna Mastronardi, Jeff Day and Faye Castle. Opening reception on Sat. Feb. 6th 5-7pm, exhibition continues through March 1st.

Join the Friends of Camano Island Parks members on a guided community walk through Cama Beach State Park. The walk will include the Cranberry Lake Trail, Welcome Center loop and beach. Total mileage will be 3.5 miles with some up and down portions. Shuttle vehicles will return walkers to the parking area. Walk takes place rain or shine. Wear appropriate clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. Meet at Ivy Road and Dry Lake Road junction. Access Dry lake Road from Elger Bay Road north of Elger Bay Elementary School or Monticello Road, which intersects West Camano Road and Elger Bay Road. Parking is on the Ivy Road cul-de-sac. Camano Island Walking Trails booklets are available at the Camano Chamber Kiosk, TJ Bucks, and Coastal Community Bank on Camano.