Spring is nearly here and so is the 23rd annual Vashon Island Garden Tour.

Weekend festivities begin with the Sunset Garden Gala, Friday, June 21, 6 pm until sunset in a festive waterfront garden paradise. Enjoy cocktails, catered gourmet dinner, wine from Palouse Winery and live entertainment. Tickets are $125 per person and are limited. Call 463.5131 to reserve.

The Tour, Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, 10 am to 5 pm offers gardeners of all persuasions the opportunity to experience five gorgeous and wildly diverse outdoor Island sanctuaries, complete with garden talks, live music, art in the garden and discounts offered by local merchants.

Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association will be presenting a new historical exhibit, “Vashon 1885: The Early Settlers”, opening on First Friday, April 5th, at 6:00 pm.  The exhibit traces the story of Vashon’s pioneer families and their descendents who continue to reside on Vashon today.

Curator, Jessica Dewire with the help of Laurie Tucker and Jean Findlay, collected photos, graphics, and historical artifacts from the original settler’s descendents. The descendents of the 1885 families include the Shermans, Wards, Bibbins and Fullers.  Also featured in the exhibit are the Hofmeister, Landers, Anway, Snow, Livesley and Cristman families.

Spring into the season with art!

Grab a friend, hop on a ferry, and come to Vashon to see what’s blooming in the studios!

The Spring 2013 Vashon Island Art Studio Tour will be held on two weekends, May 4th-5th and 11th-12th, 10-5 each day.  It’s a free, self-guided event with 23 participating studios.

Spring is a beautiful time to tour Vashon, and garden sculpture will be sprouting,  as well as colorful paintings, prints, pottery and glass. The studios of the woodworkers, textile artists, jewelers and candle makers will be well stocked with art to use and art to wear!