“Spring on the Palouse” by Gregg Goolby
The Art Gallery of SnoValley is thrilled to announce its second annual exhibition at Blakely Hall in May 2025.
The “Essence of Art” exhibition will be on display from May 6-30. A public reception to meet the artists will take place on Sunday, May 24, from 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Eleven artists from Art Gallery of SnoValley will present their work, which features primarily two-dimensional art forms such as acrylics, mixed media, digital art, oils and watercolors. The collection will encompass a range of styles, with abstract, impressionistic and representational art being the most prominent.
The exhibition fosters community engagement among gallery members, offering artists a platform to showcase large-scale works and providing the public with access to their inspiring creations.
“Bubble Fun” by Yi Ju Miller
Several of these exhibiting artists shared their work in the 2024 gallery show. However, they plan to display new art pieces this time around.
The Art Gallery of SnoValley and the Mount Si Artist Guild (MSAG) work in tandem to promote local art. The gallery, operated by MSAG members, offers artists a platform to exhibit their work and engage with the community. MSAG serves as a hub for art enthusiasts, providing opportunities for artists to showcase their creations and for the public to experience diverse artistic expressions.
The upcoming May exhibition at Blakely Hall will highlight the works of local artists Bonnie Katz Sailors, Cece Williams, Diane Sarr, Gregg Goolsby, Julie Marcelia, Minh Rosen, Monica Phillips, Nancy Claire, Sanjida Sharmin Mity, Stephanie Allison and Yi-Ju Miller.
“Smelling Salts” by Monica Phillips
Artist Julie Marcelia depicts Pacific Northwest landscapes and seascapes in her metal leaf paintings. Her signature style layers texture, reflective metal leaf and paint to create dynamic artworks that evolve with changing light.
Marcelia’s fusion of materials and techniques result in works that are both exploratory and contemporary. By blending structured layers with spontaneous elements, she captures the delicate balance between control and unpredictability, mirroring the forces of nature that inspire her.
Monica Phillips is a local Issaquah artist who loves working with glass. Leveraging her scientific background, she captures the beauty of microscopic crystals through a camera-fitted polarizing microscope. This fusion of art and science showcases the vibrant colors and patterns in crystalline structures. She also experiments with watercolor painting.
Local artist YiJu Miller was born in Taiwan and has lived in Snoqualmie for over 20 years. She loves painting and sketching in watercolor. About six years ago, she started painting on location and participating with a couple of plein air groups in Washington.
This practice instilled in her a sense of movement, atmosphere and connections to both people and places. Inspired by the surrounding natural beauty, she aims for her paintings to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Artist Diane Sarr is a veteran member of the MSAG. She focuses on mixed media art using Washington maps, fabrics, ink and watercolor. Her work explores the influences of humanity on our natural world.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the vibrant art scene of the Snoqualmie Valley and support local artists at Blakely Hall throughout May.
Nikhil Khatwani is a member of the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board and a Magnolia Park resident.
