Submitted by Leonard Eiger.

The Unsale returns to the San Juan Island Grange Hall on Saturday, March 1. The brainchild of island artist Francie Hansen, the Unsale is an art show and a giveaway. This year’s Unsale will feature Hansen’s most recent work, which all will be available to take home at no cost.

Hansen finds value in objects most people discard, and has a huge collection of found materials she uses to create her art. She begins with a blank slate, creating as she goes, making remarkably whimsical objects. The finished products are cohesive and show a free yet intentional process. As she explained, it is about having fun; no judgment, no right or wrong, just spontaneous creation.

At last year’s Unsale, people left handwritten comments for Hansen. One wrote, “Thank you for such a gift to the community…. A total bit of joy on a cloudy Saturday.” Another said, “… I especially love the way you relate to kids and those of us who are kids at heart. You meet us in the world of creativity and ask, ‘What if?’ Then you hold the space for us to discover the answers to the questions we didn’t even know we had.”

Hansen’s goals are to bring people joy and build community. Although the art is free, she hopes people will do acts of kindness (as payment). Doors open at 10 a.m. People are welcome to view the show between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.p, and can pick up their artwork from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Grange Hall is located at 152 First Street North.