An abundance of creative individuals live on Lopez Island: musicians, performers, craftsmen and fine artists.

The Lopez Artist Guild has a membership of more than 100 actively practicing artists and supporters. On Feb. 21, LAG will be sponsoring an All Members Benefit Art Show at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts titled “Profiles of Lopez.”

Donations from the sales of artwork in the exhibit will be given to the center and will also help replenish the LAG  Scholarship/Grant Fund. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 21 from 5 – 7 p.m. and is open to all. The exhibit will run through March 31.

LAG first came into existence as a Home Economics Club in 1924. It evolved into the Lopez Arts and Crafts Association in the 1970s and most recently into its current status as the nonprofit organization, “Lopez Artist Guild” in the 90s. Its mission, “to encourage and promote the visual arts on Lopez Island” is pursued with vigor and variety.

LAG sponsors art shows featuring local artists throughout the year at both Lopez Center and The Gathering Place in the Village.

The guild is also the current sponsor for the hugely popular Lopez Studio Tour that happens annually over Labor Day Weekend.

On their website: www.lopezartistguild.org artists can post work, announce art exhibits or events, and find out about opportunities in the local art world including the promotion or participation in workshops and classes.

In addition, LAG encourages art education by providing a yearly scholarship to a Lopez Island graduating senior who desires to pursue an education in the field of art and also awards yearly grants to artist members for art materials and continuing education through classes and workshops.

Financial grants were recently awarded to five local artists. Lori Taylor will be using her grant to attend a workshop at the American Mosaics Artists Annual Convention. Marie Luckhurst was able to purchase a French Taboret (a specially designed cabinet for an artist’s work space and materials storage). Stephen Carter will be using his grant to purchase special glazes for his ceramic pieces. Sylvia Chesly Smith will be purchasing art materials for her paintings, and Sally Anaya will be helped with the purchase of a new camera to use in photographing artwork for a new book.

LAG’s next General Membership Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in the Lopez Library Meeting Room. The presenter at the meeting will be Steve Horn giving insight with  “Tips on Documenting Your Art Work Through Photography.”