Thank you, patrons of the arts — all 225 patrons — who supported and attended the “Outside the Box – Inside the Museum” Exhibition Opening Sept. 25 at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA), 28 First St., Friday Harbor.
I speak for the 15 artists who were honored by being selected into this outstanding exhibition by Dr. Martin Segger — director of the Maltwood Art Museum & Gallery at the University of Victoria, and president of The Commonwealth Association of Museums in Canada — when I say “thank you” for your support, encouragement and attendance at the opening!
I also wish to thank the Friday Harbor galleries — Arctic Raven, Waterworks, Island Studios, San Juan Gallery, Bison Gallery, and Friday Harbor Art Studio — for their support and encouragement.
Next, I need to thank the island collectors and artists who attended the opening, giving their support to these wonderful artists and colleagues from San Juan, Orcas and Lopez. Your presence at the opening brought real-world connections to the artists and their work.
And, I wish to thank our sponsors — King’s Market, Friday Harbor House, The Bluff restaurant, the Moss Family Foundation, Printonyx, and San Juan Island Community Foundation.
Last but not least, the exhibition coordinators, Glen and Linda Larsen; installation, Stewart Luckman; reception, Carolyn Haugen; media, Dianne Hall; and all the IMA volunteers who gave so willingly of their time and energy. Without your gifts of time, there would have been no exhibition.
It was our hope to bring a strong and compelling exhibition of small sculpture to the islands that would be viewed as a quality show in Victoria, Vancouver, Bellingham or Seattle. And we did it! The work of these 15 sculptors who were juried into the exhibition with 20 impressive diverse sculptures did it: Doug Bison, Tamara Buchanan, Bruce Clark, Francie Hansen, Dave Haslett, John Heric, Roger Kline, Sammy Long, Stewart Luckman, Terry Ogle, Matthew Gray Palmer, Jocelyn Russell, Tom Small, Ann Walbert, and William Weissinger.
After viewing the sculpture for some time in both Gallery I and Gallery II, one art patron said to me, “Wow, what a dynamic and creative show. So diverse, such quality! How are you going to get islanders and others to come and see this wonderful work? What a valuable asset for Friday Harbor and the islands!”
Believe it or not, our biggest challenge at the museum is communication, getting the word out to everyone – the word being that arts and artists are vital to our island culture, to our society and to every individual person who lives here or visits the island.
The arts stimulate our imagination so we can dream for our future. They lay the foundation for higher levels of learning at every age and they help us to make sense of our world and give meaning to our lives.
A great deal of the excitement emanating from “Outside the Box – Inside the Museum” came from the range of work that required innovative thinking and great skill and workmanship, yet brought meaning to the viewer and made sense. This exhibition was powerful, yet fun; thoughtful, yet serendipitous. And I know those who attended the opening were glad they took time out of their busy schedules to view the work and support the artists.
If you weren’t at the opening, you haven’t missed it! The exhibition continues through Dec. 30 at IMA, and is open Thursday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Plan now to stop in prior to a downtown dinner engagement, a concert or theater performance, or a ballgame.
IMA will also be open for special community and school groups by appointment. Call the museum or the director at 370-5050.
Marilyn Luckman, director
San Juan Islands Museum of Art
