Hidden Treasure on Vashon Island

By Greg Wessel (Two Wall Gallery)

In addition to July’s exhibits, including works by Heather Joy and Matthew Olds, the Two Wall Gallery and Valise will display artifacts that are clues to a purportedly “fantastic hidden collection of gems.” Presented by mysterious fictional artist and entrepreneur Cecil Benthos, these clues and other signs, that will be revealed from July 3rd through August 6th, will lead one lucky and dogged Vashonite to the legendary “Lost Baranov Diamonds.”

The galleries could not verify all of the amazing claims made by the artist, but we researched it far enough to confirm that there is absolutely something valuable hidden somewhere on Vashon Island. It is worth finding and should be discoverable through correct interpretation of the clues. That much is fact.

According to his Facebook bio, the veracity of which could not be verified, Benthos rose to prominence among treasure hunters after his success in finding the Lost Scotchman Mine in the Sonoran Desert. Benthos has been looking for the Baranov treasure for “nearly 30 years,” after learning of its history from his father.

Clues to the treasure include an ancient map.