Art All About Mercer Island Comes to Aljoya

An exhibition of 16 local artists focused on their Mercer Island home is scheduled to open this Thursday, June 14 at and co-hosted by (MIVAL), according to a press release.

The show, Insight and Memory, is an art exhibit featuring MIVAL artists and their portrayals of life on Mercer Island. An artist's receptionwill be held on Thursday, June 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Aljoya Mercer Island in the second floor art gallery, at 2430 76th Avenue, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

“Art enriches our community, starts conversations, and most importantly keeps those conversations going,” says Era Living Art Curator, June Sekiguchi, who designed the show and supports the art partnership between Aljoya and MIVAL. “Partnering with MIVAL is a natural way to extend art and culture on the Island and use visuals to have interesting, insightful and inspiring conversations with neighbors.”

Insight and Memory includes more than 25 pieces by 16 MIVAL artists using a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, ceramic sculpture, photography, fiber and more.  Some major pieces in the exhibit include:

• “Under I-90” a watercolor painting by Jean Davis, a long-time Islander and retired teacher, who sat under the I-90 Bridge for hours capturing its essence. 
• Ceramic trolls by Award-Winning Artist, June Lindsey.  Lindsey says that during her hikes through Pioneer Park she imagines a world of fairies, nymphs and trolls.  She’s most drawn to trolls because she thinks they might like to hide in ravines and play under the dense greenery.
• Island landscape and night scene photography by MIVAL President, Ken Claflin, who has acquired his own following of photo enthusiasts, is also on display.

Local artists collective MIVAL recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and has 100 members. The organization rotates its exhibits every two-months at locations throughout the community. More at www.mival.org.

Aljoya Mercer Island is the . Aljoya is part of Era Living, a private, Seattle-based company of eight premier retirement communities. Aljoya offers a warm and vibrant lifestyle, surrounded by art, beauty and nature set in one of the most desirable continuing care retirement communities anywhere.

All are welcome to attend the opening reception, and reservations are required at 206-230-0150. More information is available at http://www.eraliving.com/communities/mercer-island.