A Vashon Island gallery and gift shop is expanding to add a West Seattle location, just in time for holiday-shopping season. You might have seen the sign in the window at 4400 SW Alaska: Raven’s Nest West is opening this Friday. Co-proprietor Sue Shotridge shares the announcement of the business offering what she describes as “authentic high-quality Northwest Coast Native Art Gallery & Gifts”:

Sue & Israel Shotridge have been partners in business for over 25 years. Israel is a Master Tlingit Artist/ Carver from Ketchikan, Alaska, Sue wears many hats, Jewelry Designer, and Sales, Marketing & Production Director for Shotridge Studios, the Shotridges’ multifaceted NWC Native Art business. The Shotridges established their flagship Raven’s Nest Native Art Gallery & Gift Shop on Vashon Island in 2010. Many of their customers have been coming over to Vashon from West Seattle and urging them to open up a Raven’s Nest in the West Seattle area.

The opportunity to create a stepping stone, a charming intimate Northwest Coast Native Art Gallery & Gifts shop, was presented in early September when 4400 Alaska was completed and ready for tenants at a very busy Junction location. There was one live/work space available on the street level; the Shotridges saw this as an opportunity to extend their business to the West Seattle community to see what interest there would be in marketing NWC Native art here. If it is well-received, future plans are to find a bigger location in a prime spot.

Holiday Business Hours will include Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Hours may vary, with extended hours closer to the holiday. Check ravensnestwest.com for additional info in the near future.

Ravens Nest West will offer authentic Northwest Coast Native Art & Gifts. Original Wood & Ivory carvings, Limited Edition Art Prints, Hand Engraved Jewelry, Cedar bark Basketry, Seal Fur Jewelry Accessories, Native Art Cards, Holiday Tree Ornaments, many other gift items all in Native imagery, stocking stuffers and much more. In addition to the Shotridges’ artworks created by Sue, Autumn, and Israel Shotridge, a small group of tribal Artists from around the Pacific Northwest Coast will show their artworks at Raven’s Nest West on a regular basis. Art works to be included will be carvings, cedarbark basketry, contemporary glass, deerskin drums, engraved jewelry along with ceramics depicting NWC imagery. A selection of fine apparel including scarfs, shawls and embroidered fleece along with many other native designed gift items will be available.

Sue Shotridge adds that Raven’s Nest West plans a grand opening during the holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk on December 8th.