Colors of Sequim sells fine art materials — lots of them.

 

The shelves of the new store, at 139 W. Washington St., are chock-a-block with brushes, specialty papers and canvases and a wide range of paints, including oils, watercolors and acrylics — plus pencils and markers and much, much more.

 

In addition to a thriving retail trade, the co-owners, Eileen Cummings and Bridget Baker, want to keep their shop hopping with artists, both accomplished and amateur.

 

The shop is arranged to provide a public space for everyone interested in art — men, women and parents with their children. There’s a children’s play area, plus a big purple sofa where the grown-ups can hang out.

 

“The theory is that we want to have a good time,” Baker said.

 

The shop includes a fancy video setup that will be used to provide art demonstrations.

 

The space also will provide a setting for Colors’ extensive list of art classes, including “Drink and Draw Classes” taught by Frances Rice. They’ll be held in conjunction with nearby Wind Rose Wine Cellars.

Registration is $20 and includes a glass of wine, which may help to smooth those drawing-in-public jitters (March 13 and March 27 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.)

 

Rice, who holds a master’s degree from the Creative Arts in Learning program at Lesley University, is well known for her gifts as a teacher.

 

She also will teach “Where Do I Start With Art?” providing an overview of various techniques and materials, including charcoal, pastels and watercolors. (March 15, 22 and 29, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Registration is $25.)

 

Local artist Priscilla Patterson will provide a “Beginning Drawing” class from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 30. The fee is $60.

 

Patterson taught art at Kodiak College in Alaska for 17 years.

 

Some materials are required for the classes: Call 360-797-1772 or e-mail colorsofsequim@gmail.com for more information.

 

Colors of Sequim is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.