First Friday Art Walk Sequim
May 2, 2025
5:00 – 8:00 PM
Various Venues in Sequim WA
SequimArtWalk.com
The Sequim Irrigation Festival “where water is wealth” motto inspires the AQUA color theme celebrating cultivation and culture during the May 2 First Friday Art Walk Sequim. The color aqua expresses responsible, sustainable elements of cool fresh water, abundant salty seas, renewing rain, and bright sunny skies. Art and music inspired by our natural resources, creativity, positive partnerships, and revolutionary ideas are included in the May Art Walk.
“Where History Flows and Futures Grow” is this year’s Sequim Irrigation Festival tagline and besides wearing the color theme of Aqua, there is a Steampunk theme as well! For 130 years, the Sequim Irrigation Festival has stood as a testament to the strong spirit of this vibrant community. Originating in 1896, it was a jubilant response to the completion of the longest irrigation ditch in the United States, which brought life-giving water to the fertile lands of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. Explore the creative and friendly community building events for all ages during the two weeks of the festival at https://irrigationfestival.com/
First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a fun and free self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Visit online at SequimArtWalk.com as your resource to download and print your own map, find out what special events are happening, links, and how you can be part of art.
Initiated in 2006, the First Friday Art Walk Sequim is an encouraging and educational arts event that is sponsored and produced by Renne Emiko Brock. Our mission is to create approachable and accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity.
Special events for May 2:
Blue Whole Gallery at 129 W Washington St. presents “Finding Wonder in Beauty” with Deborah Harrison and Nancy Peet. Harrison is a layered glass artist. Trained in traditional stained glass, she found that technique too limiting. Through experimentation she developed layered glass, giving her work a lyrical, three-dimensional quality. She derives the inspiration for her creations from our Olympic Peninsula environment. “I find myself restored and renewed by the beauty here,” states Harrison. “All of this informs my glass creations.”
Peet, who has a degree in art from the UW, uses watercolor to express the joy and wonder of color found in nature. She specializes in large, vibrant florals, reflecting her deep appreciation for the world’s natural wonders. “Each brushstroke is an emotional expression for me,” states Peet. “My intent is to invite the viewers to experience the wonder of color and marvel at the beauty around us!”
Sequim Art Walk Special Event with a return to Pondicherri at 121 E. Washington St. with artist Kathy Nichols that includes greeting cards and prints among other things! She will be demonstrating how to do a small-scale water color – a happy dragonfly. You are also invited to participate for free and create one of your own! Supplies will be provided. Please let them know by calling 360-681-0954 if you would like to participate, so they have enough supplies.
Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures at 121 W Washington St. is showcasing ‘What’s all the BUZZ about’. They will have local apiary Miss Bee Haven Honey & Pollen. And new to the scene Honey Bear Candles from Vancouver Washington. Products will be available for purchase that evening. Along with other bee related items bringing awareness for the need to cultivate and save our pollinating bees.
From 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s Sequim Habitat Boutique Store at 213 E Washington St. has fabulous live music of Reckless Dove! Look for musical highlighted performances of The Juan de Fuca Harmony Chorus around as well.
At the Sequim Museum & Arts at 544 N. Sequim Avenue the featured artist in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery is long-time Sequim resident, Ed Sumpter with “DeColores”. He is an artist at heart, and after putting his brushes down for a couple of decades, it was time to get back to what he loves. For the last 8 years, Ed has created a stunning, and most diverse collection of paintings. The common thread? Color! When it came to naming May’s show, that was easy…DeColores (Spanish for “the colors”). The diversity comes from a host of different subject matter. From fantasy landscapes and creatures to abstractions and concrete form, you may think you’re looking at work from different artists. “Artificial Intelligence is seeping into and even sometimes dominating the creative space. I recognize more than ever the value of our individual thought and unique contributions. The meditative focus I find myself in when I’m painting clears my mind and helps facilitate my persistence.”
The A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery at 520 N. Sequim Ave. presents “The Pacific Northwest Impressions Exhibit” features a duet of artists, Michelle Lindblom and Linda Tilley, whose works showcase two distinct methods of artistic expression describing the poetic beauty of the pacific northwest.
Linda Tilley’s representational works are a serene immersion into our endless scenic landscapes. Painting primarily in oil, Linda says she is drawn to paint “en plein air”, inspired by the intensity of color, light, atmosphere and the energies of the world outside. She also uses the time she spends in nature to inform the works she creates when painting inside her studio. From her home in Port Townsend, she’s traveled regionally and to Europe following her passion for plein air painting, continually learning and honing her skills to capture the experiences that she shares on her canvases. Over the years, this award-winning artist has had her work juried into multiple regional shows and exhibitions; and her paintings are hung in private collections across the United States.
Michelle Lindblom’s acrylic paintings and monotypes take you on an abstract and ethereal journey through her mesmerizing interpretations of the natural world surrounding us. She holds advanced degrees in the fine arts and taught visual arts at the college level for over twenty-four years. Now residing in Sequim from Bend, OR, she’s served on community arts committees, and as a gallery coordinator and exhibition juror. Her artwork has been exhibited across the United States and in Europe. Michelle says her approach to making marks is intuitive, “Once the process begins, it becomes a visual playground of colors, textures, shapes and movement. As the work evolves, intuition and formal knowledge guide the exploration, experimentation and discovery. My imagery portrays the continuous dialogues with my psyche, along with my awareness of the nuances of everyday experiences.”
As always, while you’re visiting the main gallery, take a peek around the corner into Anne Milligan’s pastel studio for any works that might be in progress; and see some of her finished pieces on display in the digital studio.
Over the Fence at 118 E. Washington St. is hosting local artist Mary Beth Beuke of West Coast Sea Glass. Mary Beth creates high quality, fine silver art-jewelry that features the world’s rarest sea glass pieces in every color, an awe-inspiring photographer, and her book “The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass” has been on one of Amazon’s “best seller” lists. Mary Beth founded the West Coast Sea Glass company in 1998, yet she has studied jewelry design, metal smithing and has been creating wearable art for over forty years. “The unique beauty of sea glass is that each piece is distinct from the next and has been on a one-of-a-kind journey. I believe the piece of sea glass usually dictates the form of jewelry that it will eventually find itself.” It is also Moms Night Out at Over the Fence in celebration of moms of all kinds: traditional moms, honorary moms, adopted moms…all the moms!
From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Rainshadow Café at 157 West Cedar Street has live music with Dawn & Steve. Come sing your favorite songs with a full menu and drinks to enjoy. Some dancing is encouraged too.
Sequim Spice and Tea at 139 W Washington St. has unique art including glass, pottery, illustration, and photography of local artists. You can also find artful, creative tea blends, colorful and fun teapots and cups, and cheerful culinary gifts.
Alder Wood Bistro at 139 W Alder St. has artisan wood-fired local, seasonal, organic food in the heart of Sequim. While you dine, check out their walls filled with unique art by local artists.
Sofie’s Flowers at 127 W Washington St. features Kari Hardin of Render Studio who is a painter, illustrator, printmaker, and tattoo artist whose work draws heavily from the natural world and leans into an illustrative, often surreal style. With a lifelong passion for art, Kari has spent the past six years focusing more intentionally on her creative practice, using it as a therapeutic outlet and form of storytelling. Her art explores imagination and emotion with a sense of curiosity. and openness, as seen in her pivotal series “Fisher Kings”, which marks a turning point in her career. Sofie’s is filled with inspired décor with local and unforgettable gifts.
Pacific Pantry at 229 S Sequim Avenue is open until 7:00 PM and hosts a rotation of local artists.
La Petite Maison Blanche at 213 E Washington St. features artwork, uniquely curated gifts, treats throughout the shop, and culinary goodies to add zest to your life. Explore the support of local artists and performers, like Katy Lily, at this eye candy, delightful shop.
Pacific Mist Books at 122 West Washington Street shares the love of reading and offers an eclectic mix of new and vintage books, cards, and gifts including local authors and artists.
Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W Washington St. features live music, award winning artfully crafted wines, and appetizing tidbits.
Soup in the Alley at 138 W Washington features a rotation of local artists, live music, and treats.
New Venue on the Sequim Art Walk! Olympic Peninsula YMCA at 610 N. Fifth Ave. is launching their new Art Gallery in the YMCA of Sequim! Artworks from paintings, photographs and 3-dimensional art-forms were submitted by a variety of Y staff and members that are now on display! The gallery is open during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim hours of 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Please take the time to visit this new venue and support our community members!
Want to participate as a venue or artist on the Official First Friday Art Walk Sequim Map, Listing, and Website, please contact Renne Emiko Brock at 360-460-3023 or renneemiko@gmail.com If you are an artist of any media, please get your information to Renne for publicity and opportunities. Thank you for your support!
To create inclusion between venues, artists, and audience, everyone is encouraged to participate in the Art Walk’s monthly themes as a fun community activity in any creative form they wish to express it. January is silver, February is red, March is green, April is pink, May is aqua, June is white, July is purple, August is yellow, September is blue, October is orange, November is brown, and December is gold.
Please join our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/sequimartwalk
Thank you very much!