On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Creative Arts Center (Wilderness Business Park, 23220 Maple Valley Hwy SE, Ste 15) the MV Creative Arts Council will hold its 4th Annual Holiday BazArt - Fine arts and craft show!

Handmade decorator blocks, quilted pet beds, handmade vintage ornaments, glass beaded jewelry, handmade leather journals, feather extensions and hair pieces, handmade greeting cards, nesting dolls, silver/copper/leather and semi-precious stone jewelry, chenille gloves, cloth baby items, glass fused home decor items, crocheted hats, stained glass items, children's tutus, capes and more! The Maple Valley Creative Arts Council's artist members are BazArt's talented vendors who invite you to join in this cheery festive event. The Creative Arts Center and its cozy environment filled with music, refreshments and exceptional handmade artwork is guaranteed to put you in the spirit. Free admission. Bring your friends and family!

Upcoming Rotation at the Creative Arts Center

On Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council will host an opening night reception at the Creative Arts Center (23220 Maple Valley Hwy SE, Ste 15) featuring hand painted glass artist, Margaret Joyce Van Duine. On hand for your enjoyment will be the usual wine tasting by Maple Valley Shell's Dave Hall and refreshments. Bring a friend! This is a free event.

Artist Bio: Born in England, I immigrated to the United States in 1980 and now live in the Seattle suburb of Maple Valley. My passion for glass started many years ago when I became an avid collector of the world-renowned Swarovski Crystal figurines and then broadened my collection to include contemporary art glass. Several years ago I started working with my paints and brushes using glass as my canvas and my work has evolved into the beautiful pieces you see today. Each piece is painted upside down and each one turns out different from the next, resulting in an original piece of Glass Art. I truly love working with the glass and my paints creating unusual, unique, glass art pieces. Recently I have added acrylic canvases to my work and enjoy the change in techniques and ultimately the end results.

Community Choir Holiday Concert This year’s Community Choir Holiday Concert will be held at the Tahoma Middle School Theatre on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. Concert participants are comprised of your neighbors and friends who have been rehearsing for several weeks now. Get into the spirit with this wonderful family event. Suggested donation at the door. For general information, contact MVCAC@comcast.net .

Register for Watercolor II

Classes begin Jan. 3, 2012

Tuesday Evenings 6 – 9 p.m., 5 week course

MVCAC is pleased to have instructor Gary LaTurner begin teaching at the Creative Arts Center. Gary's approach is focused on the creativity and thoughtful expressions produced by students. Gary will teach a different watercolor technique each week, but will do that in combination with some specific thoughts about the subject matter. Gary will provide evaluation and will encourage students to be able to evaluate their own work and discuss the work of others. To learn more about Gary and to register for class, go to: www.maplevalleyarts.com. Classes are subject to sufficient enrollment.

*NEW* Oil Bar Class

Classes begin Jan. 5, 2012

Thursday Evenings 6 - 9, 5 week course

Yet another class to be instructed by Gary LaTurner. Participants will explore a variety of oil bar techniques with a weekly instructional focus. For this class artists will experiment with a variety of ways oil bars can be used. This versatile medium combines the drawing characteristics of oil pastels with the color, permanence, and texture of tube type oil paints. Class time will be devoted primarily to making art. Oil bars can be used on paper, stretched canvas, media board, Masonite, and other surfaces. Gary will provide evaluation and will encourage students to be able to evaluate their own work and discuss the work of others. To learn more about Gary and to register for class, go to: www.maplevalleyarts.com. Classes are subject to sufficient enrollment. VOICE of the Valley Article Art Inspired 'One of a Kind' Gifts at BazArt!