Discover the New Flair in Eastsound Square

— from Sharon Ho —New studios and shops are bringing a fresh artistic vibe to Eastsound Square, right in town, across the street from Ray’s Pharmacy. Creatives like felt textile artist Christa Smith, ceramist and jewelry artist Sharon Ho, retailer and screenprinter Andrew Youngren and fine art printmaker Mary Noesen have set up interesting workspaces and galleries over the winter, alongside Monkey Puzzle, Lynn White Contemporary Art, Olga’s boutique, Elle salon, Alexander Studio and Mia’s Cafe.

“The mix of tenants is just so unique,” said Sallie Bell, owner and designer of Monkey Puzzle, who took over the old Leapin’ Lizard retail space in the Square last Fall and has transformed it. “There is this fresh creative energy with all the new artist tenants, and we want people to know about it and come enjoy what we have to offer.”

So on May 9, from 4.30pm to 7pm, Eastsound Square artists and shops are throwing open their doors to host ‘New Flair in the Square’ – an invitation to step into the eye-catching new spaces, meet the artists and shop the latest Spring/Summer looks. Mia’s Cafe is now open on weekend evenings too, so there will be creative comfort food to accompany fun and fantastical discoveries in art, fashion, health and style.

New studios, shops and services are open
At the south entrance is Monkey Puzzle, Sallie’s expanded retail space and workshop. It is a treasure trove of unusual objets d’art, unique beads and beautiful silk textiles that Sallie uses to create bespoke jewelry, and design one-of-a-kind clothing, for customers who love to stand out of the crowd. This is a fully-equipped studio space, too, where regular hands-on classes take place.

Next door is Andrew and Emily Youngren’s newest incarnation of their edgy Pop-Up Print Shop from last summer. In addition to now classic Orcas-themed T-shirts such as the Orcas contour map, the kraken taking down the ferry, and “376”, Andrew’s new artwork and those of a stable of emerging Orcas artists can be screenprinted on-site, on an expanded range of clothing, accessories and household linens.

At Olga’s boutique, an Orcas favorite, owner Britney Grumm has once more brought in style-forward Spring/Summer collections from cult U.S. designers that the boutique’s longtime fans have come to love, along with home decor and exquisite hand beaded jewelry that exude casual luxe. Also, coming up this year is more of the charming children’s clothing line that debut last year.

Across the side alley, what used to be Katherine Taylor Chocolates is now Elle salon. This lovely space is helmed by stylist Emma Gajadhar, who has trained under industry leading names like Christophe Soltane at The Academy of Beauty in Seattle, Jerel DeFrancesco, in Boston, and Zack Mascalo, head of Toni & Guy, in New York.

On the North block is Blackbird Studio, where fine art printmaker Mary Noesen has set up a working studio space – with a dedication to imagining and re-imagining, to the in-between, to the not this and not that, and to the poetics of rag and bone.

At Mia’s Cafe, Mia and her team have introduced a scrumptious new dinner menu for weekends, Thursdays to Saturdays (and some Sundays), from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, with dining on the deck when the weather is fine.

Venture to the back block and there’s more to discover.

Behind Olga’s, Christa Smith and Sharon Ho have torn down walls to create an open, light-filled workspace and a rotating gallery of their latest artwork – jewel-toned nuno-felted scarves, bags and ‘wearable art’ clothing by Christa, and ceramic jewelry assemblages of beach shells, stones and found objects, as well as whimsical hand built pottery by Sharon under her label, Optimism and Co.

Their neighbour is the newly branded Alexander Studio – a well-equipped, fresh and open space to breath deeply through Gyrotonic and Pilates workouts. Owner Heidi Alexander offers Gyrotonic training, massage, Ashiatsu and Craniosacral therapy while Tamara Joyner offers instruction in Pilates movement. Both are available for private and small group sessions.

And at the very back of Eastsound Square is Lynn White Contemporary Art. That discreetly elegant grey door leads to a contemporary gallery space featuring exhibitions of drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture. The gallery is committed to presenting exceptional art for casual viewers as well as assisting collectors interested in contemporary art.

All these spaces will be open on Friday, May 9 from 4.30pm to 7pm, so don’t miss experiencing ‘New Flair in the Square’. Gather a couple friends for an afternoon, and evening of art, inspiration and good food at the Square!