The color theme for the First Friday Art Walk on July 5 is purple — the color of Sequim’s famous lavender blooms and the representing potential, camaraderie, thoughtfulness, dignity, spiritual significance and extravagance.You will find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in tints and shades of purple as fellow Sequimmers prepare for Sequim’s lavender season.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a fun, free, self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim from 5-8 p.m. the first Friday of every month. Visit SequimArtWalk.com to download and print a map, find special events and links, and learn how to be part of art.
Artwork courtesy of Jeannine Chappell / “A Blush of Rose” by Jeannine Chappell, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery in July.
Initiated in 2006, the Art Walk is an encouraging and educational arts event sponsored and produced by Renne Emiko Brock with a mission to create approachable, accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity.
Special events
Over the Fence, a destination home and garden store at 118 E. Washington St., hosts Mary Beth Beuke of West Coast Sea Glass. She creates high quality, fine silver art-jewelry that features the world’s rarest sea glass pieces in every color and her book “The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass.”
Artwork courtesy of Roger Morris / “Dungeness Fall Color” by Roger Morris, a featured artist at the “Plein Air Inspirations” exhibit at the A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim on July 5.
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 just in time for summer. Each of our artists expresses a deep affinity for painting in the open air, though their styles and individual interpretations are delightfully varied. The artworks in the show range from pieces painted entirely on site; works that were begun outside and finished in the studio; to pieces painted solely in the studio, yet inspired by the experiences of the artist’s plein air sessions.
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.
Artwork courtesy of Joyce Hester / “San Juan Wonder” by Joyce Hester, a featured artist at the “Plein Air Inspirations” exhibit at the A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim on July 5.
Port Townsend’s 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?”
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.
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.
Artwork courtesy of Jinx Bryant / “Fields of Grasses” by Jinx Bryant, a featured artist at the “Plein Air Inspirations” exhibit at the A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim on July 5.
Visitors are also encouraged to take a look around the corner into Anne Milligan’s Pastel Studio for a peek at her works in progress, and see some of her finished pieces on display in the Digital Studio. The A. Milligan Art Gallery is located across from the High School, between the Olympic Theatre Arts Center and the Sequim Museum and Arts Center. Many thanks to the Sequim Museum for graciously offering the designated parking area on the south side of their building for any overflow parking.
La Petite Maison Blanche, 213 E. Washington St., features live music with singer/songwriting artist Kate Lily, along with uniquely curated gifts and treats throughout the shop along with original art.
Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., features the exhibition “A Walk In The Woods” with acrylic painter and gourd artist Jane Smith. Jeannine Chappell and Jane Smith are totally different when it comes to their art. Chappell paints with acrylic on panel and paper. Smith is a gourd artist and paints repurposed items like tea pots. However, they share one source of inspiration: the woods.
Jeannine has a lifelong association with the woods. A native of Georgia with its southern pines, she lived many years in the San Francisco Bay Area among the live oaks. Trees have been a source of inspiration for her. Here on the lush Olympic Peninsula, she has created her current series of abstract tree paintings. In these works, she pays homage to trees as the source of life and oxygen, and as the provider of shelter and protection. Through her paintings, Jeannine invites the viewer to take a walk in the woods of her imagination.
Photo courtesy of Jane Smith / “Smell The Daisies” by Jane Smith, a featured artist at the Blue Whole Gallery in July.
Jane was born in Hawaii among tropical trees but most of her life has been spent in the somewhat treeless desert southwest. Having lived in Washington twice before, she was very happy that retirement brought her back to the forest she had longed to be nearby. When Jane gets stuck on a project or is lacking inspiration, she heads for the woods to clear her head. She loves the silence and finds a walk in the woods stimulates her senses and her creativity. She is quickly “unstuck” and back to work on one of her favorite projects, incorporating pine needles in her gourd art.
Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St., hosts author Janet McGiffin and her brand-new historic
Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., features Shelly Weber, known as the Pacific Northwest Girl. Her macrame creations are inspired by nature and the use of texture. Forage also features local artists and inspired gifts by our state and the Olympic Peninsula.
At the City of Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., the City Arts Advisory Commission hosts the opening reception of “To Feel, Focus on Texture” on view in the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery. At the same time, from 5-7 PM, the First Friday Open Music Jam happens. Bring a acoustic instrument and/or voice and join the crowd for an informal gathering of people who like to make music.
Artwork courtesy of Marian Morris / “West Across Sequim Bay” by Marian Morris, a featured artist at the “Plein Air Inspirations” exhibit at the A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim on July 5.
Olympic Theater Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., presents “Lavender Melodrama – Lavender Dreams” at 7 p.m. Cheer the hero, boo the villain and sigh for the damsel in distress in this hilarious, over-the-top melodrama based on the mythical history of the Pacific Northwest and Sequim. This year, the tradition continues on with an all-new script, cast and jokes. When good-natured Johnny tries to enter the lavender industry, the evil hermit Nimby unleashes everything in his power to stop him including The City, The County, and The Kraken! Come laugh at all things Sequim and the Pacific Northwest as the drama of lavender farming is revealed. Tickets are $20 and available online at olympictheatrearts.org.
At the Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Avenue in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery, visit Steve Vogel’s exhibit with many new oil paintings, focusing on local nautical themes and local historical sights. Vogel has been doing paintings since the mid-1960’s and continued studying art at the University of Washington as an art major. In 1980, Steve put off doing his art for more than 40 years while being employed as a paramedic/firefighter and his last 15 years as Fire District #3’s Fire Chief, retiring in 2015. This will be his third art show since April 2018, through it will be quite different from is past exhibits which displayed many black and white pen and ink drawings and etchings. This past year, Vogel focused using color bringing life and light into his oil paintings. He will also exhibit some of his previous pictures from the Olympic Peninsula.
Sofie’s Flowers, now at 127 W. Washington St., has artful blooms and has joined the art walk in their new location downtown.
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s Sequim Habitat Boutique Store at 213 E. Washington St. has fabulous live music with Reckless Dove.
From 6-8, Rainshadow Café at 157 W. Cedar St. 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, 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, 138 W. Washington St., features a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.
Alder Wood Bistro, 139 W. Alder St., has artisan wood-fired local, seasonal, organic food in the heart of Sequim.
Find locally-created gifts at Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop, 120 W. Washington St., including farm fresh lavender creations, treats and inspired vintage décor items.
The River House Bakery & Cafe, 120 W. Bell St., hosts local artists with delicious food and bakery items.
Pacific Pantry, 229 S. Sequim Ave. is open until 7 p.m. and hosts a rotation of local artists.
For more
To participate as a venue or artist on the official First Friday Art Walk Sequim map, listing and website, contact Brock at 360-460-3023 or renne@uniqueasyou.com. Artists of any media are encouraged to get information to her for publicity and opportunities.
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.
Join the Art Walk Facebook page at facebook.com/sequimartwalk.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim
When: 5-8 p.m. July 5
Location: Various venues near downtown Sequim
On the web: SequimArtWalk.com
