First Friday Art Walk Sequim
September 6, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Various Locations in Sequim
www.SequimArtWalk.com
September 6 First Friday Art Walk Sequim Color Theme is BLUE! The color blue relates to creativity, imagination, inventive inspiration, thoughtful research, and reliable community-minded achievement. Like the sky, lofty and ambitious blue can be dreamy, peaceful, and hopeful, yet it also is strong and honest, full of productivity, responsibility, and constructing alliances. You will find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in shades of blue or representations of lofty and loyal aspirations as they enjoy an evening on the town with friends and family.
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 September 6:
Wild Goddess Brews-n-Bites at 145 E Washington Street Suite D has delightful live music from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with Topia Vana with small bites, salads, dips, and boards. Have a comfy seat and enjoy a wide selection of beverages while enjoying the music with friends.
The Sequim Museum & Arts at 544 N Sequim Avenue features “Driftwood Sculptor” by Molly Omann in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery. Molly Omann, a local driftwood sculptor and her stunning pieces are created from driftwood sourced from local private beaches. Molly has lived on the Peninsula for 21 years and she has worked in the art field for 40 years, including art instructor at the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center (now the YMCA), school volunteer art instructor and graphic designer for Sound Publishing. Molly has continually expanded her skills into many types of art. Her mantra is “so many mediums, so little time”. Several years ago, she shifted her focus to driftwood sculptures and now has a fulltime sculpting business. Included in the museum display are various life-sized sculptures of wildlife, including a Great Blue Heron snatching a crappie from a pool of water created with epoxy resin and mixed medium birds of prey incorporating authentic antlers in the wing structures. A photo display of Omann’s multiple driftwood sculptures will also be on display.
Blue Whole Gallery at 129 W Washington St. has the show “Elements of Nature” featuring two well-known local artists, Julie Senf and Mike Middlestead. Both artists’ work is informed by their relationship to the beauty of the North Olympic Peninsula and its people. Julie has lived here for more than 40 years. Mike retired here after 25 years in the Coast Guard. Julie is a watercolorist displaying her love of the Peninsula’s natural beauty in her paintings. Years ago, after she began drawing and painting, she realized her fascination with the diversity of this area. “I’ve come to realize what I enjoy capturing most with my paints is this amazing area and its natural beauty” says Julie. From Cape Flattery, to the top of Storm King, to the leaves falling from the trees, Julie paints it all.
One has only to look at Mike’s work to know he is captivated by the world around him. He found his way to ceramics after he retired and was taking an Into to Art class in college. He found clay and hasn’t looked back. His work is diverse and displays his love for the water. He has created everything from a life size Raku king salmon to barnacle encrusted vases. “I love this medium!” states Middlestead. “I am always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with clay, always with a focus on the environment, especially the water.”
The A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery at 520 N. Sequim Avenue is hosting the “Plein Air Inspirations” exhibit with Jinx Bryant, Joyce Hester, Marian Morris, and Roger Morris. It’s a fun show to see and a real treasure of a collection with familiar scenes painted from around the town of Sequim, its countryside and farmlands; and the wilds and coastlines throughout the Olympic Peninsula. You’re sure to recognize one of your own special places in these area-inspired pieces. Each of the artists expresses a deep affinity for painting in the open air, though their styles and individual interpretations are delightfully varied. Artworks in the show range from pieces painted entirely on site; works that were begun outside and finished in the studio; to pieces inspired by the experiences of the artist’s plein air sessions, yet painted solely in the studio.
To Sequim artist, Marian Morris, capturing the essence of being on site in the moment is her inspiration to put paint to canvas. With a background in biotechnology as well as her lifelong study of art, she’s found the perfect marriage of her creativity and her love of nature in venturing to the great outdoors with her paints and easel in hand.
Port Townsend’s Joyce Hester is an award-winning representational oil painter. She says of her practice,” I’d rather be someplace else. Not in a meeting…in a line or at a desk…my thoughts regularly return to another place and time…and allow me to be there. To linger there. This is my muse, my inspiration: to be someplace else. Some call it daydreaming, I call it art making. Want to come along?”
Lifetime artist and photographer, Roger Morris was allured by the plein air muse when he met up with a Port Townsend based group in 2009. He’s painted in oil, acrylics, and now in digital paint. Working from his IPad, he sets his focus to distill his subject down to the qualities that will make a good design and an intriguing painting. He moves quickly to keep a freshness about his work, capturing the soul of the scene before him while intentionally leaving room for the viewer’s interpretation.
Artist, Jinx Bryant, says, “…I love the initial excitement, when light describes an object, a scene, a sound, and I can think of nothing else until I sketch the concept, start the painting…set in motion the creative process.” The Sequim artist has won several awards and says her work is created to carry the viewer beyond first impressions with a subtleness discovered in the details.
Please join us for some tasty tidbits and refreshments while you visit with friends, talk with the artists and enjoy their inspired works. As always, feel free to take a peek around the corner from the Main Gallery into Anne Milligan’s Pastel Studio, see her works in progress, and some of her finished pieces on display in the Digital Studio.
La Petite Maison Blanche at 213 E Washington St. features Lynda Tartaglino of JPaws Art, uniquely curated gifts, treats throughout the shop, and live music with Kate Lily.
Pacific Mist Books at 122 West Washington Street hosts beloved local children’s book author, Susan Gibbons-Wolf, and her newest book, “The Pirates’ Code”! As a child, did you ever experience bullying? The Pirates’ Code presents a bullying challenge that is answered in an unusual way. Bullies succeed because they know how to recruit. What if we could arm children with a way to recruit friends? What is the ‘code’? Check out the book to see how one child wins friends who stick together to overcome bullies with kindness. Included are eight tips for preventing bullying by Irene van der Zande, a child development expert, and the team at Kidpower International.
Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures at 121 W Washington Street features local artist Jacqueline Buresh of Pacific Rainshadow Farm. With the thoughtful mission to reduce waste and their solution is their 3 in 1 shampoo bars handcrafted in Sequim.
Sofie’s Flowers is now at 127 W Washington St. with artful blooms and featured pressed flower jewelry artist April Madison with Dainty Designs by April.
Over the Fence, a destination home and garden store, at 118 E. Washington St. is hosting one of their local makers.
Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W Washington St. enjoy award winning artfully crafted wines and appetizing tidbits.
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.
Soup in the Alley at 138 W Washington features a rotation of local artists, live music, and treats.
Alder Wood Bistro at 139 W Alder St. has artisan wood-fired local, seasonal, organic food in the heart of Sequim.
Locally created gifts don Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop at 120 W Washington Street has delightful farm fresh lavender creations, treats, and inspired vintage décor items.
Pacific Pantry at 229 S Sequim Avenue is open until 7:00 PM and hosts a rotation of local artists.
The River House Bakery & Cafe at 120 W. Bell Street hosts local artists with delicious food and bakery items.
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.
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Thank you very much!