Two art exhibit openings in February at Orcas Center

||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER |||

Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) presents two shows that will open on Friday, Feb. 13, and be on display through March 18. All are invited to a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to meet the artists, mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres.

Acclaimed fine artist Susan Slapin offers her latest solo art exhibit, “A Love of Energy and the Sustenance in the Natural World,” showcasing a vibrant collection of soft pastels, acrylic and mixed-media works inspired by nature, color and light. Her layered compositions explore color, movement, and emotion, inviting viewers into richly textured abstract landscapes. Slapin’s work will be in the lobby as the featured art exhibit.

The community show “Bugs, Insects, Spiders, Oh My” will be in the Madrona Room. Creepy, crawly, and unexpectedly beautiful, the VAC hopes to highlight the small creatures that shape our world through the eyes of local artists. All are welcome to attend and discover how artists reframe these often-overlooked beings into works that intrigue, delight, and surprise.

Community shows are open to ALL island artists, from beginners to experienced alike. To exhibit your work, bring all art ready for display or hanging on Installation Day: Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. To learn more about exhibiting your art, commission structures, and upcoming shows, visit www.OrcasCenter.org/VAC.