First Friday Gallery Opening

Ignited by Vashon : Art by Vashon Artist Residency Alumni
VCA partnered with Vashon Artist Residency (VAR) for this milestone event showcasing a diverse collection of work that reflects the influence of the island on an artist’s practice.
Cathy Sarkowsky  founded VAR in 2021 as a place where artists could focus on their work, find inspiration, and connect with others in the serene setting of Vashon Island.
In just four years, VAR has grown into a respected program that attracts artists from across the U.S. and abroad. This September, that journey comes full circle as Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA) hosts Ignited by Vashon, the first-ever alumni exhibition for the residency. The show will celebrate the work and stories shaped by time on the island.
The exhibition features 31 alumni artists presenting more than 40 works in a wide range of media — photography, fiber sculpture, quilting, painting, mixed media, and watercolor. Some pieces draw directly from the island’s landscapes, colors, and textures. Others capture the solitude, focus, and camaraderie that residency life can bring.
For Vashon residents, the show offers a chance to see their home through the fresh perspective of visiting artists. For visitors, it’s an opportunity to experience how this small island can have an outsized impact on creativity.