Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery opens ‘Debutantes’ exhibition April 7.

They probably won’t be wearing white gloves or sporting bouffant hairdos, but the artists in the April show at the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery are still called debutantes. As in, these artists are new to the gallery in the last two years, selected by a juried process. “Each meets our high standards of design, execution, and contemporary style,” Victoria Josslin, BAC director of education and information said.

They probably won’t be wearing white gloves or sporting bouffant hairdos, but the artists in the April show at the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery are still called debutantes. As in, these artists are new to the gallery in the last two years, selected by a juried process.

“Each meets our high standards of design, execution, and contemporary style,” Victoria Josslin, BAC director of education and information said.

“Debutantes” features 11 artists working in a variety of media, from the digital collages of Yuko Ishii to the kiln cast glass sculpture of Gerry Newcomb.

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Bainbridge bead artist Lisa Romasco, like many of the artists at the gallery, works out of a studio in her home.

A room in her home overlooking the ferry lanes was probably designed by the architect to be an office, with an adjacent sunroom. Instead, both rooms are filled with trays and glasses and bowls and jars of beads sparkling like a rainbow. Finished necklaces, bracelets and baubles line the walls, waiting for just the right person to take them home, or use them for inspiration.

Romasco shares her love of beading by hosting small workshops several times a week, inviting people to stop by, and for a reasonable fee create their own piece of jewelry.

It can be overwhelming to have so many choices, but Romasco offers this advice: “Just let it come to you.” She added, “Every piece is completely different, completely them.”

For the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts show Romasco is busy creating rings, earrings and bracelets in a fun, modern design, using frosted resin beads, gemstones, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. The resulting pieces are whimsical kaleidoscopes of color.

Romasco said she designs the pieces based on what feels good to her, not what is hot on the market at the time.

“I have to feel really jazzed about what I make,” she said.

Romasco balances her beadwork with being a wife and raising two boys. She jokes that she has a short work day, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s also a very short commute. Her latte doesn’t even have time to cool on the walk from the kitchen to the shop.

Romasco has found a market for her jewelry that also works with her schedule, creating pieces for non-profit auctions, local arts and crafts festivals, the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery and at private house parties. She has even been invited to bring her beads to retreats, where participants create designs at their leisure.

One of her most popular items is a collection of keychains made with chunky resin beads and smaller textured beads. The gallery keeps them in a basket near the cash register, and Romasco said they are selling “like hotcakes.”

Interestingly, she is not a model for her work — she doesn’t like to wear jewelry.

“I’m drawn to the colors,” she said. “I love being around all these colors and textures. I enjoy creating things that are lovely.”

Other artists and their creations in the “Debutantes” show are Amber Hallet, photography; Ken Brookner, digital photo panoramic landscapes printed on canvas; Yuko Ishii, digital collages; Christopher Mathie, abstract painting; Sandra Westford, paintings; Camea Davidson, collage; Sandra Rokoff-Lizutt mixed media imaginary landscapes; Shirley Moss, silver jewelry; Joan Spier, fabric art; and Gerry Newcomb, kiln cast glass sculptures.

The exhibition opens April 7 with an artists’ reception 6-8 p.m. during First Friday.

Two artists will demonstrate their work during the month. Sandra Rokoff-Lizut will demonstrate creating monotype prints 1-4 p.m. April 8 and Shirley Moss will demonstrate making chain jewelry 1-4 p.m. April 15.

The Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery is located at 151 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island.

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