Continuing the recent tradition of the First Thursday Art and Wine events on Mercer Island, some of the downtown galleries will have libations and special showings from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Suzanne Zahr’s gallery at 2441 76th Ave. SE will show jewelry and glass sculptures by Polish native artist Anna Skibska from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
After pioneering a technique called “flameworking,” Skibska moved to the U.S. in the late 90s, and has since resided and created in Seattle.
Using a small torch, she transforms glass rods into slender threads, and folds and joins those to create spider web-like sculptures.
“Her glass filigree explorations integrate her virtuosity as a fine artist with her love of architecture,” Zahr said. “Her work is stunning and like none other we’ve exhibited at the SZ Gallery.”
Since 1984, Skibska has presented 54 individual exhibitions all over the world. Skibska also transforms gems and stones into wearable art, using jewelry design to commemorate “the beauty of everyday life.”
Clarke and Clarke’s gallery at 7605 SE 27th St. will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with bubbly, bonbons and special treats from the Roanoke Inn’s secret baker from 5-8 p.m. Its featured exhibits this month are “Wearable Art” and “International Dolls and Puppets.”
The gallery will show and sell scarves, wraps and table runners by San Diego artist Hollyce Phillips, in the first major collection of her work being shown outside of California. Ginny Clarke met Phillips while they were working at a King 5 morning talk show. Phillips’ career included broadcast journalism and video production, along with painting, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry design and fashion design.
The doll and puppet collection continues the theme of “surrounding yourself with art.” Clarke and Clarke’s collection of dolls and puppets has grown over the years through travel and adventures to different countries and cultures.
“We will be offering a delightful array of colorful and dramatic representations of this universal collectible,” according to a Clarke and Clarke press release. “Some of the dolls featured will be Japanese Kokeshi, Zulu African dolls, Japanese Boys Day, Japanese Girls Day, Japanese Hakata, Marionettes from India, Dan African Dance Doll, Tanzanian Jita Sukuma, SW Kachinas, Vietnamese Water Puppets, and Shadow Puppets from Indonesia.”
