Seattle Art Blog - News, Discussion, and Events

Sep 28, 2006 The Stranger's Jen Graves has written a wonderful article about one of the grand ladies of art in our town, Francine Seders. She begins, "Francine Seders was a sharp young corporate lawyer buried in the Paris headquarters of the Citroën automobile company when it hit her that she would work for 30 more years under a bunch of sexists only to retire to some helpless, silent, tedious station in the world. Because she wasn't the type of person to stake her future on somebody else, and because a doctor once told her she wouldn't be able to have children, casting about in search of a husband in order to construct a family haven wasn't high on her agenda. Not knowing what she'd do, Seders left law, left her homeland, and came to Tacoma and then Seattle."  Read the whole thing.

Sep 28, 2006 Yesterday afternoon the Seattle Art Museum announced that Seattle artist Margie Livingston has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 Betty Bowen Memorial Award. In addition, two PONCHO Special Recognition Awards in the amount of $1,500 will go to artists Emily Gherard and Mary Simpson, both of Seattle. This year’s winners were selected from over 520 applicants from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho who competed for the $11,000 award. An award ceremony and reception will be held for this year’s award recipients on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. There will be a brief slide presentation of each winner’s work, followed by a reception in the Alvord Boardroom. The ceremony and reception are free to the public.

Sep 25, 2006 Sheila Farr reports, "Michael Killoren, director of The Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, announced Friday that the city had hired a new manager and a curator for the city's public-art program.Ruri Yampolsky has replaced Jim McDonald as public-art manager." Read all about it in her article in the Seattle Times.

Sep 23, 2006 This exceptional international exhibition features more than 50 interactive and static machines, full-size reproductions of his paintings and amazing interpretive insight into his character. Visitors experience the brilliance of the man, the inventor, the genius and are given an inspired understanding of Leonardo's unparalleled contribution to world history. Tickets range in price from $5 to $22. See the Museum of Flight website  for more information or call 206.764.5706. From October 1, 2006 to January 28, 2007 at The Museum of Flight , 9404 East Marginal Way South.

Sep 22, 2006 Hmmm. According to an article in the Village Voice, just 23% of exhibits in New York galleries and museums between now and December 31 are female solo exhibits. Read the whole thing here.

Sep 18, 2006

Third Thursday
Tacoma Art Walk. Tacoma's galleries, Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum are open from 5 - 8pm. All three museums are free. Info line; 253/272-4258

Edmonds Art Walk. 5 - 8pm. Call 425/776-3778.

Art Collective Issaquah. 6 - 9pm. Train Depot, 15 Rainier Blvd. N., Downtown Issaquah.

September 23 - 24
Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour. 75 Whidbey artists will welcome visitors to their studios. Sat. 10am - 5pm; Sun., 10 - 4pm. Visit www.whidbeyopenstudiotour.com or call Skip Smith: 360/321-4346.

Sep 15, 2006 Transparently Built: A Group Show of Glass Installations will be up through May 27, 2007. The show, organized by the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, is sponsored by Russell Investment Group, Heritage Bank and the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass

Th exhibit explores the diverse architectural properties of glass and comprises four dynamic installations created by four prominent female artists working in glass—Jean Shin, Jo Yarrington, Mildred Howard and Anna Skibska. Two of the pieces are site-specific, or created to respond to and interact with a specific architectural space, while the others create their own environments. Each reveals the versatility and variety of glass form, from architectural glass to recycled wine bottles, and from lamp-worked to blown glass. 

Sep 11, 2006 Second Thursday
Kirkland's monthly art walk takes place from 6-9pm. Maps are available at the galleries.

Thursday September 14
The Fall Splash! winemaker's dinner will highlight Madrona's own Wilridge Winery, which specializes in handcrafted wines. Arrive at 5:30 for a tour of the Seattle Asian Art Museum galleries and A Northwest Summer. Dinner starts at 6pm. The price is $75 per person or $71 for SAM members, exclusive of sales tax and service change. For more information or to make a reservation, email tasteevents@seattleartmuseum.org.

Friday September 15
Gala party and silent auction for the West Edge Sculpture Invitational 2006 held at the Alexis Hotel, downtown Seattle from 6 - 9pm. Supporters of the Seattle art community are invited to meet renowned area sculptors such as Gerard Tsutakawa, Phillip Levine, Steve Jensen and Marilee Moore and bid on their works. The event celebrates the 29 artists who have pieces on display in the 2006 exhibit (installed between Harbor Steps and Benaroya Hall through Oct. 29) and includes jazz, appetizers and a no-host bar. Event tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5761 and are $50 per person or $85 per couple.

September 16 & 17
Gig Harbor, Fox Island and Key Peninsula Open Studio Tour 2006
Visit 24 artists at 14 studios from 10—5 pm both days. For more information and a driving map, go to www.gigharboropenstudiotour.org

Through September 24
Puyallup Fair. Since 1900, Washingtonians have "done the Puyallup."  Probably the largest fair in the state, The Puyallup has all kinds of art exhibits, crafts of every kind, music, entertainment, food, and scary rides. Even in the late 30's, with a depression going on, attendance was at 400,000!  Click on this link for more information, including transportation options if you don't want to drive.

Sep 9, 2006 We publish, at  no cost, show openings and links to many, many art galleries and museums. How many of you are returning the favor and linking to http://www.seattleartblog.com ? 

Sep 6, 2006 Local artist and gallery owner, Sam Day,has been commissioned by the Pioneer Square Community Association to paint a live oil painting of the grand reopening of Occidental Park, during the First Thursday Art Walk, September 7, 2006. Mayor Greg Nickels will be in attendance. The original will be auctioned off at a future fundraiser, and prints will be made to provide ongoing funding for the Association. Sam will be at his easel on the south side of the park from mid afternoon until late evening. The Sam Day Gallery will be closed for the evening.

Sep 6, 2006 On Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., the second annual Rivet Art Auction will be held at Crawl Space Gallery on Capitol Hill. The silent and live auction will feature work from 30+ local artists with pieces valued between $75 to $400. All proceeds will benefit Rivet’s Creative Content Fund. Come by, support Rivet Magazine and buy beautiful art!  The live auction is from 8:15-8:30 p.m., and will be emceed by Jed Dunkerley. Wine will be provided by Red Diamond. Call Maggie at 206.579.1978 for more information.

Sep 6, 2006 On August 21st well-known Seattle glass artist, Lenoard Whitfield, was struck by a state patrolman's automobile while sitting at a red light, the result of which is a broken back.   Lenaord has been in Harbor View Hospital since the accident and has a very long recovery ahead of him.  Friends of Lenoard's and artists have come together to help and are having a benefit to help Lenoard's recovery this Friday, Sept 8th during ArtWalk Issaquah, at Art by Fire .195 Front Street from 6-9pm.  All proceeds will go to Lenoard to help in his long recovery ahead.

Sep 4, 2006 First Thursday
Gallery Walks in Pioneer Square and the Seattle Art Museum Area. 6 - 8pm. Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park is free all day on First Thursdays. The Seattle Art Museum downtown will be closed until 2007. For a printable map, go to Art Guide Northwest.

Friday
Issaquah art walk in downtown Issaquah  from 6 - 9pm. Live music in multiple locations.  Brass Band Northwest will head the show outside the library and Kaleidoscope School of Music will be rockin’ the Hailstone Feed Store.  Back by popular demand is the outstanding 10 piece Mariachi band named Mariachi Grullense playing at Las Margaritas.  Puget Sounds Piano Studio will once again be performing at Front Street Café with several different ensembles. Rhino Studios and Gallery will also have live music on hand for this ArtWalk as well as hosting an artist reception for the new show, text based art entitled “Do You Read Me?” 

Second Saturday
Ballard Art Walk. 6 - 9pm. Call Art by Fire at 206/789-1490.

September 7 - 10
1st Annual Plein Air Painters U.S. benefiting the Coupeville Arts Center. Over fifty plein air (outdoor) painters from across the U.S. will be painting the harbors, shorelines, quaint towns, farmlands, and prairies in the Ebeys Landing Historic Reserve on Whidbey Island. On Saturday, September 9, 2006.  Anacortes artist  and juror, Alfred Currier will present the Best of Show Award as well as Awards of Excellence and Merit at the Plein Air Painters U.S. Open Gala.  The Gala and Silent Auction of all entries is being held from 6:30-8:30 at the AuSable Institute, Coupeville, WA.   Gala tickets ($100) include a $50 credit toward any silent auction painting purchase. The All-participants Exhibition and Sale on Sunday, September 10, 2006, noon to 5pm, at the historic Crockett Barn is free and open to the public.

September  8  - 10
Mukilteo's 41st Annual Lighthouse Festival. Celebrate the Visual Arts in Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival’s 2nd Annual Juried Art Show. Three days of festivities include a parade and fireworks.  The festival kicks  off with a Patron’s Party which is a catered affair for adults in the gallery (downstairs in Rosehill Community Center,304 Lincoln Ave) on Thursday evening, September 7th, from 6:30 - 9 PM .  Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Charles at Smuggler’s Cove.  Tickets at $25 each may be pre-purchased at the festival office.  A limited number of tickets may be available at the door. Contact  425-353-5516 to  purchase tickets before Sept 7th. The festival itself is free.

September 9
Best of the San Juans. Westcott Bay Reserve Sculpture Park, Roche Harbor juried art exhibit. 10am - 5pm. Call 360/370-5050.

September 9- 10
Aki Matsuri Fall Festival. The matsuri features cultural arts of Japan including fine art & craft exhibits and demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations, on-stage performing arts, and food booths. Hands-on activities for children include yo-yo (water balloons), shuji (calligraphy) challenge, origami, Kiri-e (paper-cutting), and go games. Held on the Bellevue Community College campus from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.on Sunday. Click here for directions.

September 10
Arts of Snohomish is sponsoring a fundraiser to support Candelighters of Washington,  an organization for children with cancer, with an exhibit from the works of seven artists titled "An Irish Odyssey." Held on Sunday from 2-5pm at 105 Cedar Avenue in Snohomish. Reservations are required. Please call 360.568.8648.