Photographs by Irene Searles on display at Flea Street

Diners at Flea Street are in for an extra treat over the next few months — (beyond Chef Bryan’s food). Woodside-based photographer Irene Searles is displaying 13 color images and 16 black and white images on the restaurant’s walls.

For me, it’s extra special as it all started with a knock on my door in 2011. There was Irene explaining she was not only a neighbor but had just completed a photo class at Stanford and was interested in contributing to InMenlo. It’s a partnership that’s continued.

My bias should not take away from delight of the exhibit, only the second she’s put together, the first being a chronicle of the building of Freewheel Brewing which her late husband Malcolm McGinnis owned.

Her Flea Street exhibit is the culmination of a journey that includes thousands of photos.

“For the last 7 years, I knew I needed to go through all my photos and create a website,” she says. “But I’ve been busy traveling and spending time with family.

“At the end of February, I got an email from Jesse (Cool, Flea Street owner) saying  Mitchell Johnson was taking his Flea Street exhibit down in order to show his work in Europe.

“It took me three days to answer her. I kept thinking, ‘no, I’m not ready.’ But then I woke up and said, ‘I just have to do this.’

Irene has divided the exhibit into a section of black and white in the bar area — which she plans to rotate frequently — and color photographers in the three dining areas. “The black and white, in particular, all have little vignettes associated with them,” she says.

With the completion of her website (thanks to daughter Lauren) and installation of the show (thanks to help from husband David), Irene feels a completion of sorts.

“I think everything that happens in your life impacts the work you make,” she says. “Over time the work becomes more cohesive. I want to look at what I like and make more of that!”

Flea Street, located at 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 5:00 pm to closing. Irene plans a reception there in mid-May.

Photo of Irene by Robb Most (c) 2024; Subway shoes and River Rats by  Irene Searles (c) 2024