Camano Island is Washington State’s Island of Artists. Since it will be a wet and dreary on Saturday, March 14th, and you are probably looking for something to do, here is a driving tour that will brighten your day and amaze you at the art scene on my Island.
9:00am: See Future Meyer Art Center as you Drive Through Stanwood
As you drive through Stanwood you’ll see the historic Hamilton Smokestack on your left at the Hamilton Landing Park along the Stillaguamish River. When you do, make sure to look right and you will see where the future Meyer Art Center will be built. The Meyer will have a world-class gallery, hum with art classes and internships and community building and will be the hub of art in our region, with spokes going out to the art studios and galleries.
9:30 First Stop: the Camano Commons Marketplace
After you drive over the bridge onto Camano (no ferry required), you will come to a Y in the road with some commercial buildings. This is the Camano Commons Marketplace, which old-timers know as “Terry’s Corner.” Stop at the Marketplace to enjoy a cup of Camano Island Roasters coffee and a pastry. My favorite is the Almond Croissant. But maybe you’ll be in the mood from something salty. Here’s a review by friends of mine. Whatever you get will be delicious and get you the energy you will need for the art tour ahead.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1W3zpjvKhK
10:00 Second Stop: The Gateway Gallery for their show Green
The Gateway Gallery is run by the Camano Art Association. Green, a show of color and reflection, opens on Saturday, March 14. It features work from Carl Hamry, Chaim Bezalel, Colleen Nygard, Debra LePage, Dotti Burton, Holly Stafford, Jeanne Poling, Jill Cockrum, John Hadley, and Yonnah Ben Levy. Gateway Gallery is connected to the Camano Commons Marketplace. It is the little red building at Freedmon Park: 578 E North Camano Dr.
11:00 Third Stop: Jack Dorsey’s Art and Antiques Show at Sunnyshore Studio
From Gateway Gallery head south on East Camano Drive. Enjoy the beautiful scenes of Port Susan, the Cascades, and especially Mount Baker. After about a fifteen minute drive you’ll come Sunnyshore Studio. Jack Dorsey’s Art and Antiques is a beautiful show of one of the legendary watercolorists of Washington. Of course I’m biased because he’s my Dad. But I think that you will be very impressed too. At the very least you can get some of Dad’s favorite carrot cake to get you that little jolt of energy you need. If you do stop here, make sure you introduce yourself to me. I’ll be hosting this show at Sunnyshore Studio: 2803 SE Camano Drive.
12:00 Fourth Stop: Jack Gunter’s Studio and Gallery for his Fog Show
Jack Gunter is a legendary Washington state artist, author and filmaker known for his mastery of the ancient egg tempera painting technique. His Gallery and Antique Shop at the old Tyee Store on the south end of Camano Island is a must see. He is one of the personalities and dominant figures in art in the northwest.
Here is a little preview from an article I wrote a few years ago:
It’s time to continue our tour. I suggest you keep going south all the way around the south end of the Island and start heading back north. You will now be on West Camano Drive.
1:00 Fifth Stop: Karla Matzke Gallery and Sculpture Park for the Women Painters of Washington Show.
Karla is THE art entrepreneur on Camano. Her tireless and tenacious work as a Gallery owner, Art Advocate, and artist herself has left an indelible mark on the Stanwood-Camano art scene. In better weather, her amazing Sculpture Park is worth an hour or two walk. But for now, just see this delightful show by the prestigious Women Painters of Washington featuring fifty tree artists, 70 paintings and 20 sculpture at 2345 Blanche Way, Camano, WA 98282: https://www.matzkefineart.com/celebrating-women-painters/
2:00 Sixth Stop: Lunch at Elger Bay Cafe
By now you will be hungry and the Elger Bay Cafe at 1992 S Elger Bay Rd, just off West Camano, is a perfect stop. It’s clean. The food is solid. I’d suggest the Fisherman’s Plate. Jenny absolutely loves their coffee ice cream. This should give you the fuel that you need to finish your tour.
3:00 Seventh Stop: Camano Island State Park
You can’t be on Camano Island and not stop to take in the natural glories of creation. One of the best places to do that is the Camano Island State Park. As a boy growing up on Camano, I associate the State Park here with the annual Twin City Salmon Derby. My first children’s book tells the story of the magic of that place for me. If you want to know more of the history you can read this article I wrote as part of my Beaches of Camano series.
4:30 Eight Stop: The Camano City Schoolhouse Paper Tulip Workshop and Artist Talk with Quynh Nguyen
The Camano City Schoolhouse is a historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1906 that now serves as a community hub and museum that offers educational programs, cultural events, and historical exhibits about the island, aiming to preserve local history. You can catch the tail end of the Paper Tulip Workshop, and hear the artist talk by Quynh Nguyen. The Camano City Schoolhouse is just off West Camano at 1445 Orchid Road.
And there you have it. What a day packed with art on this wonderful, magical Island of Artists!