Seattle Art Blog - News, Discussion, and Events

Waterworks Gallery, 315 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, opens on October 27 with a group show featuring Coral Barclay’s interactions of the sky and ocean, Caroline James’s fascination with various bird species in a series of mixed media , and  Catherine Eaton Skinner’s encaustic mixed media paintings continue to explore the theme of birds and trees. The show continues until November 22. Shown: Catherine Eaton Skinner, Raven 1.

October 29

Tacoma Art Museum sponsors a kick off party from 6-9pm for Art At Work Month. Museum galleries will also be open.

October 31

Seattle Asian Art Museum from 9:30am – 1pm in the Stimson Auditorium. Part of the university lecture series, “Why is Calligraphy the Most Respected Art Form in China?”

November 1

Internationally known musicians Lenore and Emanuel Vardi formally unveil their musically-themed painting exhibit at the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) from 4-5:30pm.  The next evening, an additional painting from each of the Vardis will be on special display as accompaniment for the Cascade Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) season debut.

November 1 – 30

Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month. Hundreds of activities throughout the city include: studio tours, visual art exhibits, community festivals, etc.  For more information, go to  http://www.ArtAtWorkTacoma.com.

Opening October 25 from 3-6pm at the Oasis Gallery, 3644 Wallingford Ave N. in Seattle, “Natural Influence” includes uses of color, texture, and materials which cultivate bold statements about the state of our natural surroundings. Artists in the exhibit are Patricia Emmons, Elizabeth Halfacre, Lisa JonesMoore, Patty Makatura, Courtney Putnam and Winston Rockwell. The show runs through January 17.

For the first time in 20 years, the Tacoma Art Museum has assembled its collection of impressionist paintings, works on paper and sculpture. “The Movement of Impressionism: Europe, America, and the Northwest,” on view through October 9, 2010, explores the varied forms impressionism took as it traveled from Europe to America and into the Northwest. The exhibition showcases the collection and honors longtime supporters of the Tacoma Art Museum as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum, said “Local families such as the Lindbergs, Baskins, Murrays, Wagners, and Weyerhaeusers were active collectors and the impact of their gifts to the museum is very much a part of the history of this community. As well, this exhibition speaks directly to the museum’s mission by looking at Northwest art in national and international contexts.” Shown: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Portrait of Mlle. Lerolle, c. 19th century. Oil on canvas, 13 1/8 x 9 7/8 inches. Tacoma Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. Hilding Lindberg.

On October 23 from 5:30-7:30pm an opening reception and awards ceremony for the Northwest Watercolor Society Annual Members Exhibition, “Waterworks,” takes place at the Kaewyn Gallery, 10101 Main Street in Bothell. The show, juried by Christopher Schink, BAFA, runs through November 23.

A collaborative art exhibition entitled “Layers: New Works by Terrance Guardipee and Dan Joseph Friday,” opens October 22 at a reception from 6-9pm at the Sacred Circle Gallery inside the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park. Featured are the newest works from two internationally acclaimed artists: painter Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet) and glassblower Dan Joseph Friday (Lummi/Swinomish). The artists will juxtapose their different mediums in one gallery space, and focusing on the overlapping of Native American history with contemporary artistic expression. The show runs through December. Shown: Terrance Guardipee, Gathering of the BlackFeet People.

Opening at The Henry Art Gallery, 15 Ave. NE & 41st St., on October 24 is a show of the work of one of the most controversial  photographers of the 1980s, Robert Mapplethorpe. Titled “Polaroids,” the exhibition brings together ninety of his early Polaroids, many never exhibited before. Included are self-portraits, figure studies, still lifes, and portraits of lovers and friends Shown: Untitled, self portrait.

Eirik  Johnson’s photographic series, “Sawdust Mountain,” opens on the same day. This Northwest photographer explores 19th-century myths about a powerful and romantic West full of promise and bountiful assets, myths that are now replaced by 21st-century ecological concerns arising from the toll taken by natural-resource-based industries. Both shows close January 31.

Eric Salisbury continues his series, “Gestures,” where he attempts to convey his motto: “Positive Art Does Wonders for the Heart.”  The exhibit is on view at C Art Gallery, 855 Hiawatha Place South, through November 16. An artist reception is scheduled for November 5 from 5-7pm. Shown: Green (detail).

“Looking Back: Important Works by Morris Graves from 1930-1990,” and “Passionate Generosity: Selected Works from the Marshall & Helen Hatch Collection,” are on view at the Gordon Woodside/John Braseth Gallery , 2101 9th. Ave. at Lenora St., through October 31. Shown: Morris Graves, Remembrance of Things Past.

The Eastside Association of Fine Arts, with support from the Bellevue Arts Commission, just announced its 34th Open Fine Art Exhibition. The show, featuring an array of media, including drawing, painting, pastels, watercolor & collage… takes place from October 19 - November 13 in the Symetra Building lobby at 777 108th NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.  A reception and awards ceremony is to be held Saturday the 24th from 1 pm to 4pm  with awards at 2:30. Shown: 741 Mixed water media, by Don Stewart.

October 22 –24

Seattle Weaver’s Guild sales and exhibition at Bloedel Hall on the lower level of  St. Marks’ Cathedral at 1245 10th. Avenue E. in Seattle. Hours are 5pm – 8pm on October 22, 10am - 8pm October 23 and October 24 from 10am – 5pm. Proceeds from the sale are used to fund the guild’s volunteer outreach program and to bring talented practicing artists to Seattle Weavers' Guild to educate both its members and the public in their art.

October 22

Pilchuck on Display: An Exhibition of International  Glass Art,  The Westin Seattle, 5;30-8pm, free and open to the public.  This event allows visitors to take a virtual trip to the campus.  Visit www.pilchuck.com.

October 23

Duvall Art Walk 6-9pm. North Bend’s  concert violinist Lenore Vardi will perform among her musically-themed paintings at The Laurel Tree Gallery , 15715 Main St. NE. in Duvall.

Pilchuck 31st Annual Art Auction at the Westin Hotel. All auction proceeds benefit the glass school’s educational and artistic programs. Tickets for the gala begin at $250 per person. For more information please contact Helga Hizer, (206) 621-8422 ext. 34, hhizer@pilchuck.com.

October 24

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Crab Feed and Auction fundraiser at 6pm. Held at the IslandWood Center, 4450 Blakely NE, on Bainbridge Island. There are a limited number of tickets available at $110 each, at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, or by telephone at 206.842.3132.

October 24 & 25

Annual Kristin Ford Jewelry Trunk show at Crackerjack Contemporary Crafts, 1815 N. 45th #212. Artist’s reception on October 24 from 12 –4pm.

Deon Matzen, a painting and drawing instruction at the Skagit Valley College on Whidbey Island, is among the winners of the “21 over 31 competition” for artists over 60 years old, conducted by Southwest Art Magazine. Among thousands of entries, Matzen was one of the 21 chosen with her entry “Diamond T Tanker II.” In November, Ms. Matzen will have a show featuring her series of old trucks at the Gallery-by-the-Bay in Stanwood, Washington and a show of old rural architecture at the  Whidbey Pies at the Greenbank Farm Gallery in Greenbank.

Observed in most Latin countries, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of the life of departed family members in friends. Altars are built in the public square or home with pictures of the deceased along with their favorite food or drink, perhaps a piece of clothing or other momentos. This year’s festival at the Tacoma Art Museum  will include a collective altar on which everyone is welcome to contribute their own ofrendas (offerings) to lost loved ones. People are invited to contribute their remembrances online at either Day of the Dead -- Tacoma on Facebook, or on Tacoma Art Museum’s Flickr page at www.Flickr.com/Groups/TacomaArtMuseum. These pictures will be on display during the festival. Shown above is a picture of an actual alter in Puerto Vallarta.

“Every community festival at Tacoma Art Museum has its own personality,” said Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum, ”Día de los Muertos is one of the most vibrant. We are adding a collective altar this year to invite everyone to participate and discover that sense of connection and joy. The online elements of Facebook and Flickr will allow fans of the festival another way to contribute to the festivities.”

For more information on Tacoma Art Museum’s schedule of events, visit www.TacomaArtMuseum.org/DiaDeLosMuertos.

Well-known northwest artist, Anne Schreivogl, opens in “Everyday Joy” at the Cole Gallery, 107 5th Avenue South in Edmonds,  October 15 from 5-8pm. Denise Cole says, “Meet Anne and enjoy a champagne reception!” The show will run through November 16. Shown: Drum Roll.

Opening October 15 at the Seattle Art Museum downtown are exhibits not to be missed, both of which will be on view through April 11.

The first, “Alexander Calder: A Balancing Act “ consists of more than 40 original works of art trace the development and amazing creativity of the American master sculptor, with particular depth in his most celebrated period, the late 1940s. Highlights include miniature maquettes, works on paper, jewelry, monumental sculptures, and one of the artist’s largest mobiles.

The second, “Michelangelo Public and Private: Drawings for the Sistine Chapel and Other Treasures from the Casa Buonarroti,” centers around 12 original drawings by Michelangelo. The exhibit features portraits of the artist, personal documents and decorative arts. Its primary focus is Michelangelo’s preliminary work for the Sistine Chapel in Rome, including a selection of working drawings for the Sistine Ceiling and the Last Judgment.

Dr. Gary Radke, the Dean's Professor of the Humanities at Syracuse University, is scheduled to give a lecture on the Sistine Chapel before and after Michelangelo on Friday, October 16 from 7-8pm. Shown: Study of a man’s face for the Flood in the Sistine ceiling, 1509-10, Michelangelo Buonarroti