< Friday, February 26th 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.

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.

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.

Lyla Lillis, from Earth, Woman and Fire Pottery is the Featured Artist for the Deception Pass Art Gallery for the month of February. View the works of over 50 local artists at the gallery and visitor center located in the beautiful log building just South of Deception Pass Bridge.

The second Whidbey Preservation Art Exhibition takes place at the Pacific NorthWest Art School on Feb. 12th at 6:00pm. Artists will once again be submitting their work based on the premise of what they cherish and feel needs to be preserved on Whidbey Island. The show will remain open to the public from Feb. 12-28 Mon.-Fri. 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Look for paintings, photographs, and 3D pieces inspired by this theme. Come see and purchase the art, meet new folks and see what the art school has to offer

A hand-blown, signed and dated snowball will be yours if you are one of the winners at The Great Northwest Glass QUEST in Stanwood and Camano Island , WA , February 12-28, 2010. The Great Northwest Glass QUEST treasure hunt is for everyone; all ages, local residents and visitors are welcome! Over 200 “clueballs” will be hidden in and around participating businesses and in Heritage Park , Camano Island State Park and Freedom Park . Inside each clueball you will find the “clue” (business name and address) which leads you to the glass snowball prize. A winning questor will exchange his or her clueball for a Glass QUEST snowball complete with a limited edition number and the artist’s initials.

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

One of the great popular successes of recent Broadway history, this ingeniously constructed play offers a rare and skillful blending of two priceless theatrical ingredients-gasp-inducing thrills and spontaneous laughter. Dealing with the devious machinations of a writer of thrillers whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths to improve his fortunes, it provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be held spellbound until the very last moment..

Hugo Helmer’s Accordion Band is the topic of discussion for the Island County Museum’s latest “Rural Recollections” program. Hugo’s Accordion Band was established in 1935, based out of Mount Vernon, and was famous not only for their great sounding accordion ensemble, but because of the fact they marched!

No longer associated with Helmer’s Music Stores, several former members of the early accordion bands – still playing together as “Hugo’s Accordion Band” will join their fellow musicians for a fun program at Coupeville’s Recreation Hall, at Coveland and NW Alexander Streets in Coupeville’s quaint downtown. Their enjoyable old-time accordion music is featured, and will be complemented by a nostalgic slide presentation and oral interviews with band members, who will share memories of the bands formative years. The program will be conducted and recorded by the Island County Museum, as part of an oral history-gathering project.

All are invited to come and enjoy the program, and are asked to participate in a “dessert potluck” for light refreshments. No admission fee, but donations greatly appreciated.

Dharma Talk, questions, discussion with Shodo Harada Roshi, Zen master, teacher and abbot at Sogenji Monastery, Japan and at Tahoma One Drop Monastery in Freeland, WA.

Refreshments at 6:30pm and talk/discussion at 7:00pm. Donations benefit Enso House.

Enjoy music by the Silvertones, dancing and a sweetheart dessert buffet.

Admission $3