- photo by Martin Lynn
This is the end of Waterspot1.
It's the end of a long chapter for us. I have raked up my last pinecone. We were lucky to have had this unique experience, and will treasure our happy memories.
Wild burros at Lake Pleasant.
Waterspot11
Not as many paintings as I've seen here in past years but some very nice stuff this time.
Of course followed closely by the next wild creature in popularity, the very dramatic Orca. Shown here swimming around with salmon, which they eat.
August 1, 2025
Hard to believe it is already August and our summer stay is half over! But time again for another great street event in downtown, the Anacortes Art Fair! I went on Friday thinking parking would be easier but no such luck. It was a several block hike to downtown but worth it.
Owls made out of driftwood.
These are supposed to replace dryer sheets, if you can stand to hear them tumbling around in there.
Salmon in metal.
Here is what this looks like from above. It runs for three days and attracts thousands of people. This year a strong "Do Not Bring Your Dog" message went out which most people seemed to take to heart, except for a few who think their mutt is special.
Now if they can get people to stop dragging wagons through this mob it will be a big win!
Salmon in tile.
People who remembered to bring hats, and then found a place to sit!
And I love these, which were called fairy faces or something like that.
Salmon in glass.
This is the end of waterspot11. Go to Waterspot12 to continue!
I just call these colorful creatures.
Another artist who has come to this show for several years makes these fantastic animals in bronze.
A weaver even brought her loom to show how she makes her own fabric for clothes she sells.
Something for all of us jigsaw puzzleers who are distressed about the news!
Art from Africa.
I was happy to meet Mary Sly from San Juan Island. She makes gorgeous hand painted silk scarves, and I've admired her work for years; I used to see them in the Island Arts shop in Friday Harbor - which is now closed. This was her first time at this show.
A giant Raven.
Salmon tote bag.
Cactus.
Glass and metal.
I used to wear slinky things like this when I was a young skinny thing, long ago.
Hand made felted hats!
The Doggie of the Day was this sweet little old gray guy who came with a vendor and had his own chair where he stayed put and managed to nap though all the noise and traffic around him. He didn't even move when I took his picture.
Handmade soap in lots of colors, all of which smelled wonderful.
Salmon pottery.
One of the more elaborate designs.
Wooden clocks!
Some of my favorite things were the glass art pieces.
Fish made from recycled metal.
Salmon painting.
As always my goal is to come home with just a lot of photos so it was a win again. I am though often tempted. I used to collect pottery and still have quite a bit. There is always a lot of that here. I remember when it took off in the 60's and it was cheap. No more!
There was other great stuff! Painted posts for your yard. That is the artist sitting back there. Very hard to choose just one!
Hand printed t-shirts.
The face and foot guy, whose sign says he is Stonebridge.com, has been here every year that I have, which this year is 12. I am always tempted to get one of these for my desert gravel-and-cactus yard. I didn't find him until the end of my route and was worried he wasn't there!
And there is the category of "pottery: whimsical."
And Bigfoot seems to have declined in popularity. I only saw a couple of those. But then this event is about serious art, I still see those in shops!
Retro posters.
Finally this one, which just reminds me of our many great trips on the road in Nevada getting to Anacortes and back to Phoenix over the years.
Another great show! No wonder thousands of people show up.
On this year's poster and t-shirt.
Drawings by Jenny Armitage from Salem, Oregon.
And the odd. Mothman for $55.
Kingfishers.
This show is full of beautiful colorful, very creative things but it seemed the king this year was the salmon! It is always featured in art from this area but I was seeing salmon everywhere.
Salmon wood carving.
Anacortes Art Fair 2025