10/06/2010: "Island Arts League)"

"Talking Encaustics" With Yvonne J. Buijs-Mancuso was the topic on Wednesday at the IAL (Island Arts League) Studio. The IAL mission is to provide art education on San Juan Island and to provide a studio space where local artists can work both solo and together.

Yvonne is a member of the IAL, and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 19 years and is an active member of the San Juan Islands art community.Her work is found in both private and public spaces, as well as in several museum collections.

Artist’s Statement: "Recently, I returned to painting and chose to work with encaustics, the 3,000 year old technique of suspending pigment in bees wax and applying the molten color to canvas. In the encaustic technique, layers of molten wax are applied and each layer is fused, or blended together, to make the final product. This "building up" of layers of media creates an illusionary three dimensional depth on the canvas and a gossamer beauty."

Island Arts League was first conceived by local artists in 1997. Their mission is to provide art education on San Juan Island and to provide a studio space where local artists can work both solo and together. We have recently been generously given a new studio located at 774 Mullis St. (the big blue building behind Whidbey Island Bank) by the family of Trudy Dallas, our current president. Membership is open to everyone and is $25 a year. Members are free to use the space anytime between 6 am and midnight every day. The space is roomy and light filled, a lovely space to produce art. We hold Open Studio times on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 on and Friday afternoons from 1:30 on. Members are free to create new open studios as well. We currently have over 40 members many of whom are professional artists.

The next class scheduled is on October 23rd: Fetish Doll Making Workshop with Francie Hansen, $30

The public is encouraged join Open Studios, the first time for free, $5 for subsequent visits or become a member.

For information, one can email Island Arts League, phone Lynne at 378-1675, or write to us at Island Arts League, PO Box 1365, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.