A Marysville photographer, Ilene Ellickson-Schairer is joining Lin McJunkin in a spring art show called Photo In – Fusion, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., May 2 and 3 at McJunkin Glass Studio,18529 Main St., Conway.

The mix of contemporary photography and fused glass is displayed in a cozy 1915 farmhouse setting, Ellickson said.

Ellickson enjoys capturing designs by nature, by people, by accident.

“For me, photography isn’t what you see, it’s how you see it,” she said.

Ilene Ellickson-Schairer has expressed herself through photography for more than 40 years. Originally from New Jersey, she received her Associate of Art degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Using black and white, color and collage, her custom printed work showcases a wide range of themes and has been featured in galleries, juried shows and private collections throughout the U.S.

Before moving to Washington in 2000, she spent 20 years in the San Francisco Bay area and was a contributing member to both the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery and the Arts Guild of Pacifica.

Here in the Northwest, Ilene has promoted art in her community as a board member of the Greater Marysville Artists’ Guild, a commissioner on the Marysville Arts Council and a guest judge for the Stanwood-Camano Artist Guild.

She has participated in many juried, fine art events including the Bellevue Art Museum Fair, Art at the Port in Anacortes, Edmonds Arts Festival, Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, the LaConner Elements Arts Festival, and the H’arts Auction of the Arts Council of Snohomish County.

Her work has been honored with awards at two Lynnwood Arts Commission exhibits and Arts of the Terrace in Mountlake Terrace.

In 2004, Ilene became the featured photographer at On the Edge Fine Arts Gallery, La Conner and began a creative collaboration with glass artist Lin McJunkin. Ilene shows her new artwork with McJunkin at their exclusive semi-annual open studio events.

In 2008, Ilene began the transition from film to digital photography in preparation for her next creative opportunity. She will be moving soon from her Marysville home onto a 42-foot trawler and traveling the Inside Passage for several years with her husband, Rich Schairer, and their two cats.

Her images and a travelogue of the voyage will be available on her Web site www.westernstarstudio.com.

Visitors to the art show are asked to bring two cans of food for the Marysville and Skagit Valley food banks.

For information, call 360-445-4527 or e-mail to lin@mcjunkinglass.com.