The Orcas Center is excited to host and partner with the first annual Orcas Island Lit Fest April 13-15, 2018. The center will be the main venue for most of the festival’s offerings, including readings, panel discussions, author Q&A’s book-signings, and a book fair. In collaboration with the festival, the Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee will feature book-related art during the month of April. Two exhibits in the Center’s lobby and Madrona Room will open with a reception on Friday, April 6, 5:30 to 7 pm.

The Lobby exhibit, curated by Jill McCabe Johnson, is entitled “THE ART OF THE BOOK: Book Arts and Artists’ Books.” Book artists interested in having their works considered for the show can email images and descriptions to jill@jillmccabejohnson.com by Thursday, March 8. We are especially interested in book arts and artist books that can be displayed on the lobby walls. Artists submitting work for consideration will be notified by Thursday, March 15.

Island artists are also invited to bring works for the “Orcas Community Artists” (On and Off the Wall) show in the Center’s Madrona Room. In keeping with April’s literary offerings, artwork related to books is encouraged but all art is welcomed. For this exhibit, artwork will be accepted on Wednesday, April 4, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Both exhibits will run until May 2.

Visual Arts Committee member Pat Littlewood is the April exhibit coordinator. Inquiries can be sent to Pat at pakli@rockisland.com. Information and tickets for the Orcas Island Lit Fest are available at https://oilf.org/ or email info@oilf.org.