Galleries to feature Russian, Persian art at First Friday event

Clarke and Clarke Art and Artifacts and Suzanne Zahr’s SZ Gallery will feature unique exhibits at their monthly First Friday art and wine event, to be held from 4-7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Clarke and Clarke will show “a rare glimpse into Russian life, the tsar to USSR.” This collection is on view for one week only, from Nov. 3–11. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and by appointment.

A small but important collection of cabinet photos, period photographs, rare books, silver cigarette cases, badges and an Imperial period officers frock coat will be on view. These objects are from the period of transition from rule under the Tsar Nicholas II, and will be offered as a collection or individually.

Co-owner Jim Clarke will give a gallery talk during the evening. Private appointments will be taken on Nov. 2 for preview in advance of the opening to the public.

Cox’s exciting new Encaustic collection will premiere in the Clarke and Clarke gallery at the First Friday art walk on Dec. 1.

“Her exceptional skills and talent in this exciting medium honors the historic Greek art of encaustic painting, an ever-evolving contemporary art form,” according to a Clarke and Clarke press release.

SZ Gallery will feature a very special exhibit, opening at First Friday in November and on display through the end of the year.

“We’re thrilled to showcase the stunning ceramic works of Monir & Mehdi Ghanbeigy, called Persian Garden,” Zahr said. “They imported a large number of varied works from their Studio in Tyran.”

Zahr sees the exhibit as an opportunity “to help us spread the good word that art is universal.”

“Considering the political climate, I feel that it is more important than ever to present the artistry of Iran,” she said.

For more on their work, see www.suzannezahr.com/monir-mehdi-ghanbeigi.

MIVAL Holiday Show opens

The annual Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) Holiday Show, presented by the Mercer Island Arts Council, will run this year at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center from Oct. 30 to Dec. 15.

The show consists of 2D and 3D artwork, holiday decor, jewelry and gifts.

MIVAL will host an artists reception and awards ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Appetizers, refreshments and live music will round out the evening. The show this year is juried by well-known watercolorist Tom Hoffmann.

For more, visit www.mival.org.

Holiday art workshop set for next month

Co-chairs Raleigh Nowers and Brandon Hill announced that MIVAL Jr. will host its second holiday workshop from 1-2:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Community and Event Center.

MIVAL Jr. is the newly formed branch of the Mercer Island Visual Arts League for young artists.

Talented artists from MIVAL, with volunteers from Mercer Island High School, will host this free and fun gift-making workshop, open to artists in grades K-5.

Register early, as space is limited. See www.tinyurl.com/mivalwinter17 for more.