Night Circus of artists arrives at Waterworks Studio Friday

Each year during the first two weekends of December, the Maury Island home and workspace of artists Christine and Darsie Beck makes a phantasmagorical transformation into the hottest holiday happening on the Vashon Island Artist Studio Tour. This year 22 artists share their fine arts and crafts in a vast array of media, creating a magical, pop-up gallery for just two weekends. Catch it while you can!

Darsie Beck features tranquil, Northwest watercolors, his gorgeously illustrated, instructional books on travel journaling, and the Field Easel Art Bag™ which he conceived, designed and refined before producing in water-resistant materials of Northwest hues. And Chris Beck, whose ceramics are local favorites with their fluid forms and Asian influence, offers casseroles, bowls and other functional porcelain pieces, as well as her lovely-looking and sounding bells to ring in the holidays. And in further creative accomplishments, Chris and Darsie have collected an impressive roster of local artists to curate this 18th year of Waterworks, as follows:
Textiles and wearable art offerings include Lindsay Aickin’s symbolic and vibrantly colored prayer flags, Stephanie Harlan’s fabulous, felted animals, Jill Andrews’ gorgeous knits and felted apparel, Susan Bates’ luscious, felted scarves and handbags, Zoe Cherokee’s warm and colorful wool cowls and fingerless gloves for adults and kids, and very Vashon block-printed T-shirts for kids and adults, infant onesies and tea towels by Cowbelle Industries (Megan Minier & Ellen Parker).

Jewelry designer Kate Rutherford returns with her serene stone necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings which have become a quintessential signature of Vashon, and happen to juxtapose beautifully with the bright, ornamental jewelry created by Ginny Ciszeck.

Sculptural and 3-dimensional art includes more of Ginny’s unique pieces, in the form of stunning collaged boxes and magical altars. Julie King features her clever creations for home and garden made from recycled, reclaimed and found object materials. Margaret Tylczak will help you get in the holiday spirit with reindeer and animal fauvism wooden hangers. Ken Fulton shows his intricate wood carvings, and in the kitchen, John Moore’s carved wooden spoons made from fallen Island trees are sculptures in their own right.

Painters Ken Fulton and Terry Jansen show fresh and masterful watercolors, as does Robert Horsley in addition to his evocative acrylic landscapes. Donna Romero shares still life oils and her new line of abstract collages, Mike Maher features prints and paintings of Northwest scenes, and Stephanie Harlan shows aesthetic pencil drawings. Margaret Tylczak adds some holiday humor to the 2-D gallery with Grinch-inspired dog and reindeer paintings.

Photographers Ray Pfortner and Nancy Wing each show imagery that includes dreamy, encaustic photo transfers. Kathleen Webster and Kim Farrell share photography as well, and finally, Ray and Kim’s ever-popular calendars will be available while they last!

The Artists Tree will be chock-full of ornaments for sale, all new works by the artists, several of whom also offer holiday and greeting cards. And be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for a basket of goodies contributed by all 22 artists; proceeds will be donated to the Dove Project.

Preview party Friday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. with music by Richard Person and Jim Hobson, and hors d’oeuvres created by the artists.

Tour Hours: December 5-6 & 12-13, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Waterworks is #9 on the Tour Map, 7012 SW 240th St. Maury Island. Head south on Dockton Rd. and turn left on 240th (last left before the road to Gold Beach and the Country Club). 463-5633. Visit as many Tour stops as you can squeeze in this year, it’s going to be a great one!