Poetry reading set at Blue Whole Gallery

The community is invited to a free poetry reading event set for 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St.

The gallery will host the Olympic Peninsula Authors reading of ekphrastic poems inspired by visual art. Ekphrasis is the ancient Greek tradition of describing a work of art in words, event organizers note. In modern times, it has come to refer to poetry that is inspired by visual art — such as the poem “The Starry Night” by Anne Sexton, who expresses her impression of Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, “The Starry Night.”

The poetry reading will feature local poets who have been invited to create and share their own ekphrastic poems based on art in the gallery. The poems will provide a new perspective on the artwork and offer a deeper understanding of the creative process behind each piece. Attendees can expect an engaging hour of poetry, art, and community. They will receive booklets of the poems written and have the opportunity to view the artwork up close.

“We are thrilled to bring together the talents of local writers and artists for this unique event,” gallery board president Jolene Sanborn said. “Ekphrastic poetry is a powerful way to connect with art and inspire new ideas and interpretations.”

Enjoy ‘Digital Origins’ at Sequim Civic Center

The Sequim Arts Commission host “Digital Origins: Creative Expression Through Technology,” an exhibit that runs through June 28, in the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.

The exhibit is comprised of eight pieces of work by five artists.

Also on display is the community art project created at the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair during the Sequim Irrigation Festival.

Regular gallery hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Rainbow Reads at NOLS branches

The North Olympic Library System will offer Rainbow Reads Teen Book Discussion at several library branches this month.

At this low-key book club, teens are invited share recent or favorite LGBTQIA+ reads with other teens. Have some snacks, work on a friendship bracelet, and talk about the books you love — or come to get some new ideas for what to read next.

Art courtesy of North Olympic Library System Create multimedia Pride art with NOLS and SilverKite Community Arts on Zoom, June 10.

The Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., hosts a Rainbow Reads event from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.

Other events include: 3-4 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Clallam Bay Library; 1-2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at the Port Angeles Library, and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at the Forks Library.

For more information about the library system’s teen programs, visit nols.org/teens-events or email to youth@nols.org.

This program is funded in part by local Friends of the Library groups.

Tidepools sets launch party

Editors of Peninsula College’s literary art magazine will announce the release of the 59th issue of Tidepools with a launch event set for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse in Port Angeles.

Held during Student Arts Week at the college, the event invites the community to celebrate the winners of the Tidepools magazine contest and take a first peak at this year’s magazine. The party will include a brief reading and pop-up exhibit featuring work in the current issue.

This event is free; reserve a free ticket at eventbrite.com/e/639008771437.

Tidepools Magazine has been published annually at Peninsula College since 1964 and features original art, photography, poetry, prose, and music created by residents of the North Olympic Peninsula in Clallam and Jefferson counties in Washington state. The publication is made possible with support from the Associated Student Council, the Peninsula Daily News, and The Buccaneer.

Tidepools is created in collaboration by Peninsula College students who edit, design, layout, and publish the magazine while learning about publishing, marketing, community relations, and gaining an appreciation of literature and the arts. Tidepools is made possible with support from the Associated Student Council, the Peninsula Daily News and The Buccaneer.

For more information contact Deirdre Frank at dfrank@pencol.edu or 360-417-6489. Or, visit tidepoolsmagazine.com.

Extended hours at PA art gallery

Harbor Art Gallery, 114 N. Laurel St., Port Angeles, is extending its hours during the summer. The gallery features work from local artists in a variety of media, and is now open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Harbor Art Gallery will be open during Port Angeles Second Saturday Art Walk until 7 p.m, Saturday, June 10. Visitors can chat with artists who are part of the cooperative, including featured artist Roger Mosley.

A resident of Joyce, Mosley developed his passion for nature photography while working for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“I’m inspired to capture those scenes and moments that collectively give this landscape its beauty,” he said.

The gallery showcases work by other local artists Bob Stokes and Cindy Elstrom, Carolyn Guske, Robert Amaral, Garret Delabarre, Terri Ench, Tammy Hall, Susan Kantowitz, Ruth Kaspin, Nancy McFaul, Gail McLain, Eric Neurath, Miranda Petruska, Randy and Sallie Radock, Jodi Riverstone, Nathan Shields, Jennifer and Davis Stevenson, Lance and Haley Snider, Eileen Webb and Kevin Willson.

Free art workshop through NOLS

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) has partnered with SilverKite Community Arts to offer a free multimedia art workshop to celebrate Pride month.

From 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, on Zoom, use own materials to make an expressive creation. Register at nols.org/prideart or by calling a local NOLS branch.

Basic household and art materials are suggested for the workshop, such as cardboard, paint and paintbrushes, pipe cleaners, tissue paper, hot glue gun, and scissors. Optional supplies include a pencil, ruler, and any other materials you’d like to upcycle and use.

A recording will be available after the event at silverkite.us/nols (access code NOLS2023).

SilverKite offers arts programs for older adults, dementia-friendly arts programs, and intergenerational arts experiences open to the public. This program is facilitated by visual artist Cooper Perry.

This program is supported by the Friends of the Library.

For more information about library programs, visit nols.org, email to discover@nols.org or follow North Olympic Library System on Facebook and Instagram.

Student art on display at PC

The 2023 Peninsula College Student Art Show is now on display in the PUB Gallery of Art at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, through Wednesday, June 14.

The juried exhibition features a total of 47 works of art including paintings, drawings, photographs, digital art, ceramics, and mixed media artwork.

Photo courtesy of Peninsula College Lydia L. Morris’ “Bailadora”(acrylic on canvas) took the Best of Show and President’s Merit Award at the 2023 Peninsula College Student Art Show, now on display in the PUB Gallery of Art through June 14.

Award winners include: Lydia L. Morris, “Best of Show,” “President’s Merit Award” and “Second in 2-D”; Hannah Hendrickson, “Best of 2-D”; Sage Eugenia Glover, “Best of 3-D”; Nathalie LaLonde, “Second in 3-D”; and, Madeline R Moran, “Best of Photography” and “Second in Photography.”

Honorable Mention recipients include Ian Coughran, Lily Doten, Nathalie Lalonde, Sarah Means and Kai Snook.

The PUB Gallery of Art is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday. The show is free and open to the public. Images of the exhibition may be viewed on the Peninsula College PUB Gallery of Art Facebook page.