Graphic design legend Milton Glaser, creator of the I Heart NY logo and founder of New York Magazine said, “Stop thinking of art as an activity totally separate from the human activity; but rather as a part of being human and part of life that is intrinsic, not as a separate event.”

In this view, art is us. It reflects life because it is an integral part of being alive. Art can move you, challenge you, change you. Its capacity to explore truth and transform norms, challenge power and to motivate provides us with an important means towards an open society.

In recognition of the vital roles of the arts, cities around the world have been holding end-of-summer evening festivals called Night of the Arts. Helsinki was first (l989) with a series of arts-related events in various settings. Paris (2002) aims to make contemporary art accessible to a broad population, engaging the pubic and inspiring dialogue of the significance of the arts on community life. Rome’s Notte Bianca (2005) was in mid-September. A month later, Naples followed.

British Light Night festivals began in Leeds (2005) with unusual cultural events that included a string quartet playing at the top of the Town Hall clock tower, a ‘Treasure Hunt’, and three shire horses, an ice cream van and bagpipes. The British Isles (2009) established a network of Light Night towns and cities for supporting cities’ arts venues, theatres, galleries and outdoor spaces.

Luminaria, since 2008 and going strong, is San Antonio’s evening-long celebration of the city’s artists, musicians, performers and cultural organizations.

Lopez Island (2014) is inaugurating its own unique response to these art-inspired activities.

Starry Night of Lopez Arts, on Saturday, August 30 from 6-9 p.m. at Lopez Center, shares in the international movement’s common purposes for starring the arts.

• Underscore the critical value of the variety of arts and culture within the community.

• Seek ways to make the arts accessible to everyone and engage the public in art.

• Celebrate art and community, express the individual identity and uniqueness of places, and be a bit edgy in pushing the interpretation and roles of the arts.

• Proclaim the value of the arts, and have some fun.

Starry Night builds on the island’s history of calling attention to the arts at the end of our splendid summers. For the past 17 years, Lopez has celebrated the arts on Labor Day weekend with its Studio Tour where artists open their studios and invite the public to experience first-hand the quality and craftsmanship of the island’s many creative individuals. The free tour attracts 300-400 people per day in this ever-popular event. 36 artists and 24 studios are getting ready for the 18th annual tour, from 10 am – 5 p.m, on Saturday and Sunday.

The Tour’s Preview Gallery at the Lopez Center will run from Aug. 12 – Aug. 30. View works from artists on the tour and map out a tour route. Kick off the arts weekend at the Opening Reception on Friday, Aug. 29, from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited.

The Starry Night evening is designed for conviviality and celebration, honoring the arts through seven starry galleries:

• Best Bites of Lopez’s Culinary Arts: Vita’s, Vortex, Southend Deli’s, Barn Owl Breads, Mary Jension, Bob Wood, The Galley, and Holly B’s.

• Lopez Uncorked: Lopez Island Vineyard’s Wines and NW Beers (no host).

• Retrospective of Early Lopez Artists: Rob Sterling, Hildegard Goss, Pete Peterson, Shirley Wright, Margaret Tomkins, Greg Ewert and Rod Morgan. Lopez artist Steve Hill will give a brief reappraisal of the works and their place in local history.

• Music, including bagpipes, an instrumental duo, and hot CDs for dancing curated by Bill Johnson – Mr. MCDJ.

• 2014 Studio Tour Gallery.

• Intriguing Arts Treasure Hunt.

• Fabulous Flash Art Event.

There will be a roaming photographer to capture it all.

Guests are invited to have fun getting dressed as a work of art. Be art-rageous – or not.

Starry Night on Aug. 30 is an opportunity to take another look at art, consider its role in our community, this place, and on the quality of life on the island.

Tickets are online and at various Lopez outlets.

Celebration sponsored by the Lopez Artist Guild and 2014 Studio Tour.

Funds raised will support the Guild’s Shirley Wright Scholarship for local high school graduates.

For more information, see www.lopezstudiotour.org.