A space for creativity to run wild | New gallery and art classes in Eastsound

By Colleen Smith Summers • February 27, 2024 1:30 am

Gail Anderson-Toombs is happiest with a paintbrush in her hand.

Her new gallery and art class space in Eastsound is spreading that love of creativity. Laughing Cat Designs Studio currently has 14 local artists and offers weekly community art sessions.

“I planned to open my own studio. I never expected this. People started coming in the first week, asking me to show their work. This is a gallery for everyone and every single style of art. And their work is really selling!” said Anderson-Toombs.

Located in the post office building, the gallery is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features Anderson-Toombs’ signature bright and joyful paintings, cards, calendars and smocks plus pottery, jewelry, woodworking and more from island artists.

Anderson-Toombs says she “doesn’t remember a time that I wasn’t drawing. A new box of crayons was my favorite thing as a little girl.” She describes her art as fun, happy and colorful. She works mostly in pen, ink and colored pencil but has been recently experimenting with acrylics, jewelry, keys and watch parts. Her work will also be on display at the Orcas Library for the month of March.

Anderson-Toombs has lived on Orcas since 1998 with her husband Bob. After residing on a boat for the past decade, she was ready for more capacity to create.

In addition to opening a retail storefront, she’s been leading kids’ art classes in the adjoining room. The community has donated furniture and supplies, and Olga Symphony donated tuition scholarships.

Students ranging in age from five to 14 have eagerly jumped into creating a mural, making papier-mâché and painting. Her adult offerings will begin next month. To sign up, email laughingcatdesigns@yahoo.com.

The classes are structured but have a lot of room for imagination.

“I’m giving a space to play and paint,” she said. “I don’t know what I am going to paint until I get onto the canvas.”