Friday, July 22 from 4-7 p.m. at Crow Valley in Town
–by Margie Doyle —
Wendy Shinstine at the Crow Valley Gallery in Town
Wendy Shinstine, the new owner of Crow Valley Gallery (or more familiarly known as “Crow Valley in Town”), is happy to announce upcoming summer events at the historic art gallery on Main Street.
On Friday, July 22, Shinstine hosts an Open House from 4 to 7 p.m. for all who are interested in the latest era of what Fred Darvill started in 1942 as “Darvill’s Rare Prints.” Thirty years later, Dale and Catherine Pederson purchased the store, when much of the art was kept in a vault and there was a passageway between the print shop and Darvill’s Book Store.
In 2004, Wade Campbell and Chris Brussat purchased the shop and put much of the art inventory online (at www.DarvillsRarePrints.com) Then, in 2007 Michael Rivkin and Jeffri Coleman, owners of Crow Valley Pottery, bought the shop as Crow Valley Gallery on Main Street. The pair have now sold the Gallery to Shinstine.
She anticipates the July 22 Open House as a chance for islanders and tourist visitors to celebrate the Gallery as a long-standing relationship with 90-plus artists. Artworks such as woodcuts, engraving, pottery, yard art, metalwork, sculpture, jewelry, art glass, watercolors, oils and pastels are available in the shop. The majority of the artists represented in the shop are local or part-time islanders.
The Crow Valley Gallery Crew, from left Kerry Quirk, Deb Madan, Leith Templin, Margie Gilbertson
Now, Shinstine, whose love of the arts and culture and Orcas Island has been expressed through careers in restaurant and entertainment management and real estate, currently works with a 5-woman staff: Leith Templin, Deb Madan, Ellen Klein, Kerry Quirk and Margie Gilbertson. In the summer season, Shinstine often finds at least two workers are needed to answer questions and assist with purchases in the shop.
One of the more widely-known artists at the Gallery is David Ridgway. A special show for collectors of Ridgway’s paintings will take place on Friday, July 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. The Ridgway exhibit will run until Sept. 12.
Crow Valley Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (often open late.) The phone number is 376-4260 and Shinstine can also be reached at wendyshinstine@gmail.com
been trying to tell Jeffrey and Michael that Eastound is not a “town” but a village. Please correct your information
I like the comment Bruce, but what should we do: I’ve always referred to Orcas as the village; Eastsound as the town or sometimes as going to the Big City, except when headed to Anacortes. Love living in our space where we are all almost neighbors.
Wendy, hope to see you the 29th.