Opening this Friday, May 9

Christa Smith of Feltsmith and Sharon Ho of Optimism and Co. invite you to our

Studio Opening

1st collaboration

at Eastsound Square #D3 (behind Mia’s Cafe and Olga’s boutique)

on Friday, May 9, from 4.30pm to 7pm

It is finally warm enough to keep our door open, come and see what we have been up to.

New working studio/gallery in Eastsound

Now: Optimism and Co. is in the house
Now: Optimism and Co. is in the house

My wish for an in-town working studio with gallery space came true this past winter. I found a perfect studio partner in felt textile artist Christa Smith and over a two-month period, we found a spot in town and set out to create a well-lit, contemporary blank slate that was versatile for accommodating our art making needs. It called for pulling out old carpet, tearing down walls, scrapping out old floor paint, and a total whitewash – lots of sweat equity made possible by supportive husbands and children. Now we share a space we love in Eastsound Square that is enjoying a revival of sorts at the moment, having had several artists move in and set up intriguing spaces too. I think we are on to something…

I hope the pictures say it better, but when you are next on Orcas Island, stop in for a look yourself.

Before: a divided office space
Before: a divided office space
Walls and carpet removed
Walls and carpet removed
After: Concrete floor and white surfaces. Yay!
After: Concrete floor and white surfaces. Yay!

Now: recent work in the front room gallery
Now: recent work in the front room gallery