Artworks Gallery’s featured artist for July will be BARBARA MEARING. Mearing paints in a variety of mediums, but primarily pastel. Her paintings attempt to make the ordinary extraordinary, inspired by the finer nuances of everyday subjects. Mearing says, “Although I prefer to work in a realistic style, my goal is not the object but the moment or emotional response to the beauty everywhere in our wonderful world.” Mearing’s paintings start with a life observation that appeals to her, followed by a bit of planning to decide how best to recreate the feeling or beauty that caught her eye. Mearing feels the joy is in the process and then in the sharing. Artworks Gallery is located on Greenbank Farm. For more information, visit artworkswhidbey.com or call 360-222-3010.

UUCWI Gallery of Art’s summer exhibit is Summer Bold – Color Color Color! and features Chelsea Bonacello’s oils, Karen Samuelson’s mandellas and Aaron LaChaussee’s glass. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island is located approximately one mile north of Freeland at 20103 State Route 525 on the west side of the highway. The gallery does not have regular hours. Make arrangements for viewing the art by calling the office at 360-321-8656.

Scenic photographs of Whidbey Island by RICK LAWLER and landscapes in pastels by artist JUDY SJERVEN are on display at Oak Harbor Library in July. The library is located at 1000 SE Regatta Drive. For more information, call 360-675-5115.

The GARRY OAK GALLERY has just completed its Summer Rotation. Come by to see the new layout, the ocean-blues inspired window display and a variety of brand new artwork. The new layout will go through July 21 at the gallery, which is at 830 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor. For more information, visit www.garryoakgallery.com

For the month of July, Garry Oak Gallery will feature the work of MIKE O’CONNELL. Visit the gallery, 830 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, to see his text paintings. For more information, visit www.garryoakgallery.com

The WHIDBEY CHILDREN’S THEATER still has openings for summer classes. Register for The Arc of Stagecraft for ages 13 and up, Puppetry Theater for ages 9 and up, Teen Film Camp for ages 12 and up, and more at     whidbeychildrenstheater.org/classes

The ISLAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL kicks off with “Taming of the Shrew” at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27. This is a free event. This production of Shakespeare’s love story takes place in a Wild West setting and is directed by Jackie Apodaca. The play will be under the big tent at 723 Camano Ave. in Langley. Please no babes in arms. Picnicking is encouraged. For details, visit www.islandshakespearefest.org or call 360-331-2939.

Teenagers may try their hand at PRINTMAKING during a printmaking lab from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Oak Harbor Library. Make prints using foam, stamps and bubbles. Make cards, pictures or wrapping paper while exploring different printmaking techniques. For more information, call 360-675-5115.

Poetry, War and Resources, 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, Oak Harbor Library Meeting Room, 1000 SE Regatta Drive. LINDA BEEMAN will share poems from “Collateral Damage,” her new book featuring a scrapbook of poems and personalities who confront us with unanswered questions about war. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. 360-675-5115 or www.sno-isle.org

The Whidbey Playhouse and the Best Western Plus are teaming up to hold a Murder Mystery Dinner, 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Best Western Plus on Highway 20 in Oak Harbor. The event is written by MARY K. HALLEN and performed by the Whidbey Improv Team. The cost is $35 per person or $60 per couple. For reservations, call 360-679-4567.

The WHIDBEY ISLAND WOODWORKERS GUILD presents the “Art + Wood = Woodpalooza @ WICA” Exhibition –– the 11th annual show of Whidbey’s finest woodwork ––  at WICA (Whidbey Center for the Arts, Zech Hall, 565 Camano Ave., Langley). Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, exhibition (free) open noon-5 p.m.; reception Friday, Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m. This year’s show will feature work by 20 of Whidbey’s best. For details, call 360-221-8262 or visit www.WICAonline.com