2011 Vashon Flag Competion

We are now soliciting entries for the second and final Vashon flag design competition, with entries due by March 15.  See the Upcoming page for submission directions.

Geo sapiens II and One Volume One

Photos from the September Geo sapiens II exhibit, as well as Gary Tussey's exhibit of fixie photos (One Volume One) are now in our Archive section.  Be there or be square!

Following on last year's fun and enlightening Vashon Flag Competition, we are hosting a Second (and final) Vashon Flag Design Competition, with the intent to finally choose a flag design that the community can support as The Official Vashon Flag.

If you recall, last year we had about 40 entries from about 15 people, and after much disagreement both among the "judges" and the public (who were ultimately asked to choose a winner), we settled on Adria Pontious' charming design that incorporates the bicycle tree.  However, we recognized then that no design captured the majority of the community's support, and also that many of the designers did not follow the standard design principles for creating a flag, mainly because we didn't know them ourselves. 

As it turns out, choosing a flag for a community is a process that is fraught with controversy and frustration no matter who does it and no matter where it's tried.  All communities stuggle with it, and the organizers are commonly blamed for the results.  So this time, we're doing it differently.

Here's how it will work.  Anyone can submit a design.  There is no age limit or residence requirement to submit, and you don't have to be an artist.  However, we require that you follow the design guidelines established by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) as available on their website at http://www.nava.org/.  They have a web page on flag design (http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Design/index.php) that includes a downloadable publication entitled "Good Flag, Bad Flag."  READ THIS PUBLICATION and use those principles to guide your design efforts.  The judges will be using those same principles to judge the designs. 

To enter, submit the following together in one package: 

1) A paper (or cloth) copy of the design (a mock-up of your flag), colored as you intend, no smaller than 8.5x11 inches; 
2) Your contact information (name, phone number, email address);  and
3) A paragraph describing your design, its elements, and why you think it represents Vashon. 

Applicants can submit more than one design for the competition, but please accompany each design with the required submittal elements.  Entries without all the items listed above are not elligible.  Emailed or digital entries will not be accepted.

Drop off your submittal at the Heron's Nest Gallery, c/o George Wright, or mail it to:

Greg Wessel
11055 Palisades Ave SW
Vashon, WA 98070

ALL SUBMITTALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 15.  LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

After March 15, all of the entries will be reviewed by a panel of five judges, who will choose a limited number of finalists (5-10) that will be presented to the community for consideration.  The judges will select the finalists using the principles established by NAVA. The finalists will be displayed at Two Wall Gallery for the month of April, during which time they will be voted on by the community.  The community will choose the winning design.

All residents may vote, regardless of age, but only one ballot per person is allowed.  Non-residents are not entitled to vote.  At the end of April, the votes will be tabulated and the winning design will be designated as the "official" Vashon flag. 

If you have any questions, email Greg Wessel at twowallgallery@aol.com, or call him at 206-250-2222. 

We look forward to seeing your design!!