Images of nine island photographers to adorn state’s newest ferry

Published 7:05 pm Thursday, February 5, 2015

When it leaves the shipyard and gets to work, the passenger cabin of the state ferry system’s newly constructed 144-car boat will be adorned by a collection of art that features images by nine island photographers.

The images selected by each of the local photographers will be among a collection of 18, 21-inch-by-28-inch framed prints gracing the interior of the M/V Samish, a 362-foot Olympic Class vessel under construction at Seattle’s Vigor shipyard.

Construction is reportedly ahead of schedule and the $126 million boat, which can carry 1,500 passengers, is expected to in service in the San Juans sometime in spring of this year.

The images chosen by each of the nine local photographers, six of which feature wildlife, captures an essence all its own of the San Juan archipelago, according to San Juan County Arts Council President Dennis Ryan.

“Each print will have a separate plaque including the name and website of the artist and title of the work,” Ryan said in a press release. “Delivery of the collection for installation is expected by the end of this week (Feb. 8)”.

The roster of local photographers includes Lopez Island’s Peter Cavanagh, Eric Hopper, Linda Hudson and Steve Horn; Peter Fisher of Orcas Island, and San Juan Island’s Kathy Crowe Finholm, Marc Forlenza, Robert Hare Stavers and Chris Teren.

Ryan said the Arts Council aided in getting local art featured onboard the state’s newest ferry by broadcasting the call for images to island-based photographers and, in partnership with the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, helped to have those images printed and professionally framed.

The collection of art onboard the Samish will include the nine photographic-prints of San Juan artists, as well as nine from the Anacortes/Fidalgo Island community and a number of works honoring the Samish Indian Nation, headquarters of which is located in Anacortes.

Ryan said the artists agreed to cover a substantial portion of the framing and development costs, and that the Arts Council is seeking to provide the rest.

“We are hopeful that the county’s lodging tax fund might be able to help,” he said, “especially since all of the images feature the fascinating landscape and natural qualities of the islands.”

For more on SJC Arts Council visit, www.sjcartscouncil.org