Submitted by the Orcas Center.

Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee is pleased to present the next Art Opening, Friday, June 27 from 5:30-7 p.m. with featured artist Zoe Osenbach in the lobby and a community show, “Botanicals and Blooms,” in the Madrona Room. The exhibit will be on display through July 22.

Osenbach is a process-oriented artist who approaches her art with a sense of play and curiosity. Gravitating toward found, used and recycled materials, she breathes new life into objects that others have discarded. For Osenbach, creative freedom often emerges from the constraints of using only what she can scavenge — whether it’s from The Exchange or a friend’s trash bin. She revels in taking things apart and discovering treasures inside, which adds an element of chance and delight to the process. “Plus,” Osenbach says, “Swinging a hammer is just thoroughly enjoyable.”

Beyond her artistic practice, Osenbach is a dedicated community organizer, focused on giving fine artists opportunities for showcasing and selling their wares. She facilitates the Orcas Artists Studio Tour, connecting artists and audiences through intimate glimpses into working studios – this year’s roster includes nearly 40 artists and takes place Aug. 8-10. Additionally, Osenbach curates the annual Handmade Craft Market at Orcas Center each fall, celebrating artisanal talent and handcrafted wares, and is a dedicated volunteer of the Visual Arts Committee at Orcas Center, which coordinates monthly art exhibits.

This summer’s exhibition offers a glimpse into Osenbach’s evolving body of work, inviting viewers to discover the hidden stories and overlooked beauty beneath the plastic surfaces of everyday items and challenge the pervasiveness of our throwaway culture.