Peninsula Art League’s National Fine Art Show Takes Flight
- 253 Lifestyle Magazine
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
A celebration of creativity and community in Gig Harbor
By Like Media Team
For more than four decades, the Peninsula Art League (PAL) has connected artists and art lovers through its mission of bringing community to the artist and art to the community. What began in the early 1980s as a small group of local artists led by Evelyn Lorraine and William Arthur Phillips has since evolved into a vibrant organization of more than 250 members spanning the Gig Harbor Peninsula and beyond.
Each year, the League’s National Fine Art Show—formerly known as the Open Juried Show—serves as one of its premier events, drawing submissions from across the country. The rebranding reflects the show’s growing prestige and reach. “This is still an open-juried event, as established artists will appreciate,” says Heide Solandros, Vice President of Peninsula Art League. “But with our transition to a new venue, we felt it was the ideal time to rename the show to clearly communicate that our event will be showcasing fine art by artists from across the nation.”
The 23rd Annual National Fine Art Show will be held November 15 through December 3, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm, at the award-winning Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum. Closed Thanksgiving Day but open again for the holiday weekend, the show provides a perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy both the museum’s world-class aircraft and an exceptional collection of fine art.
The exhibition will feature a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional works, as well as photographic and digital art. Visitors can expect to see a diverse range of artwork, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings; drawings in pastel, charcoal, or graphite; photography; ceramics; sculpture; glasswork; jewelry; and fiber art. All artwork will be available for purchase, and attendees will have the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award.
More than $6,500 in prizes and gift certificates will be awarded, underscoring the show’s role in recognizing and supporting artists. “Juried awards play a vital function in validating an artist’s talent, skill, and vision,” says Solandros. “They add credibility and prestige to an artist’s portfolio, helping them develop their brand and stand out in a competitive field.”
The show’s impact reaches well beyond the gallery walls. By introducing new audiences to exceptional artwork and building connections between creators and collectors, the National Fine Art Show enriches the cultural landscape of Gig Harbor. Visitors will leave inspired, challenged to see the world, and perhaps themselves, in a new light.
This year’s exhibition, “Art Takes Flight,” is more than symbolic. The move to the museum celebrates innovation, imagination, and history—qualities that unite aviation and the arts. “There’s a fantastic connection here,” says Solandros. “Surrounded by the spirit of innovation and the legacy of early aviation, visitors will experience excellence in art juried by esteemed Northwest artist, educator, and curator Cable Griffith.”
The new location emerged through a collaboration sparked earlier this year when the museum’s executive director, Brandon Baimbridge, and owner Bob Juranich approached PAL after seeing the Peninsula Art League Wall at the new PenMet Recreation Center. The partnership represents a shared vision: both organizations value art as an expression of beauty, engineering, and imagination. The museum, founded by Bill, Bob, and Marilyn Juranich, already embodies the artistry of flight through its stunning collection of vintage aircraft. Hosting the National Fine Art Show deepens that connection, turning the museum into a destination where creativity truly soars.
As a 100% volunteer-run organization, PAL continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of its members and the generosity of local partners and sponsors, including a Gig Harbor City Creative Endeavor Grant. “Our members are painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelry designers, sculptors, glass artists, fiber artists, and those who simply love art,” says Solandros. “Their passion makes everything we do possible.”
Looking ahead, PAL remains focused on expanding opportunities for artists and audiences alike. Through partnerships with PenMet Parks and now the Vintage Aero Museum, the organization continues to weave art into the fabric of community life, one exhibition, one collaboration, and one masterpiece at a time.
Join the Peninsula Art League in celebrating the artists who bring beauty and imagination to Gig Harbor. Visit the National Fine Art Show this November.
Peninsula Art League | National Fine Art Show
Gig Harbor, WA
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