Submitted by SJIMA

Three exhibitions kick off “Dialogues from the Forest Part 1,” at San Juan Island Museum of Art, until May 15.

The season touches the special culture of the Pacific Northwest, exploring and honoring the natural resources of the abundant landscape, which artists transform into statements of celebration and genuine concern.

Celebrations

Morris Clary Pasco, a gifted and accomplished sculptor, sees each of his elegant “books” in “Celebrations” as a study of sculptural metaphor and the visual and tactile qualities of wood. In this seminal exhibition of his life’s work, Clary presents an array of wood, fiber, jewels, and other materials from nature, which have informed and inspired him. He suggests that certain meanings are beyond words and can only be conveyed via the visual and tactile elements that is the language of the visual arts.

Charred Totems

“Charred Totems” by Suze Woolf, Seattle, reveals the artist’s anxiety about climate change and deforestation. A strange and stunning beauty is accompanied by destruction and heartbreak in this series of watercolors hung from the gallery ceiling. “I’ve met my goal when I’ve transported the viewer into the world of the painting but that viewer remains aware my hand wielded the brush,” says Woolf of her work.

Reflection of Vessel

A “Reflection of Vessel” is a site-specific installation for the SJIMA. Aaron Haba, Camano Island, invites the viewer to look toward the heavens to see the beauty inside our own human vessels. He encourages us to consider and explore the suffering, longing and deep connection that runs through all living things. Created with recycled church beams, Haba uses repetitious pattern to create a form, and with it creates an empty space, revealed by looking upto see in.

Dialogues from the Forest Part 2

In “Dialogues from the Forest Part 2,” from Memorial Day to Labor Day, SJIMA will present an iconic art form of our current and historic First Nations people. The exhibition will feature the art of emerging and other leading First Nation artists in this exceptional collection.

Current exhibitions sponsors are Peg Gerlock, Phil Johnson, Printonyx, Earthbox, Friday Harbor Suites and Harbor Rentals.

SJIMA admission is $10 for adults over 18 and free every third Monday of the month. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Monday, March 4 through April 30. For more information, visit www.sjima.org.

SJIMA enriches the community, arts and artists as we champion authenticity of our islands’ expression, place and connections.