August 2006 NEWSLETTER: “Arty Things To Do”

Gallery Happenings

John Hoover Deloss Webber
Photographs provided by Frank Ross

“John Hoover and Deloss Webber”

Two influential Northwest sculptors, who have made a unique statement within our culture, will be showcased at Northwind Arts Center from August 4th – 28th. John Hoover, an Aleut sculptor, uses Indian mythology as the subject matter for his work. Deloss Webber’s work speaks of our ties to the Far East, our native heritage, and our rugged coastal landscape in the Pacific Northwest.

Curator Jan Hoy says, “This year Northwind Arts center is again paying tribute to one of the Northwest’s artistic treasures – John Hoover. At 86, he continues to work and create sculptures that speak of tales of spirit creatures and transformation. We have paired Hoover’s work with sculptor Deloss Webber, whose stone and fiber pieces have their own strong, yet delicate, presence.”

An opening reception will be held on August 5th from 5:30 – 8:00 P.M. in conjunction with Port Townsend’s monthly Art Walk. Both artists plan to attend the reception.

“Coffee, Talk, & Dessert” Series

On August 18th, Anna Hoover, daughter of John Hoover, will present the “Coffee Talk Lecture”. She will present a slide show of John’s work with a discussion of technique and the influences of mythology on his work. The talk begins at 7:00 P.M. at the Northwind Arts Center. There is a charge of $2.00 for Jefferson Arts Alliance members and $5.00 for non-members.

!!! Arts Opportunities !!!

- Call for artists for 8th annual Art Port Townsend: The Port Townsend Arts Commission and Northwind Arts Alliance are seeking entries for “Expressions Northwest”, the Eighth Annual Art Port Townsend Juried Art Competition which takes place in October. Works in both two- and three-dimensional forms, including photography, are eligible. A total of $2,600 in cash prizes will be awarded. Additionally, merchandise awards will also be presented.

The juror for this show will be Susan Parke, presently Curator of Collections and Exhibitions for the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Washington. During her tenure as Director of the museum, from 1990 – 2003, the former Valley Museum of Northwest Art left its original home on the second floor of the historic Gaches Mansion to a completely refurbished state-of-the-art museum facility on La Conner’s First Street. In 2003, Parke left the directorship to be Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, returning to the hands-on dealing with art that brought her to the museum field in the first place. Parke’s background includes ten years as the owner of two contemporary galleries in Illinois: Susan Parke Contemporary Graphics and the Susan Parke Gallery.

A non-refundable entry fee of $25 is required for a maximum of three slides or printed image entries (no e-mailed images) per artist. Artists must be at least 16 years of age and a resident of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska or British Columbia. The deadline is August 11, 2006. For more detailed information, including an entry form, please visit www.northwindarts.org for the Art Port Townsend link, call (360) 437-9081, e-mail entries@artporttownsend.org or send a SASE to: Art Port Townsend Juried Show, P.O. Box 65499, Port Ludlow, WA 98365.

-Interactions: Art and Art 2006: This second annual public event, where writers, poets, actors, musicians, magicians, dancers and other performing artists respond to specific pieces of visual art, is scheduled for October 27, 2006 as a part of the Seventh Annual Art Port Townsend. This event, called “Interactions: Art and Art”, will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden.

Once again, performing artists have the opportunity to respond to the artwork in the Art Port Townsend juried show. This year, we are also opening the event to collaborations between studio tour artists and performing artists. Last year’s event was a great success and received accolades for high entertainment value and for expanding the boundaries of artist collaborations.

If you are interested in participating and/or helping with this event, please contact Dicksy Scott (NAA Interactions: Art and Art Coordinator) by phone at 360-301-6302 or e-mail at dicksy@cablespeed.com.

-Artist Survival Skills: (Free workshop from Artist Trust for artists working in all disciplines)

Port Townsend

Thursday, August 24th, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

Centrum, Corner of Fort Worden Way and Battery Way, Seminar Building

Heather Joy Helbach-Olds (206-467-8734, ext. 10 or heatherjoy@artisttrust.org), Artist Trust's Director of Programs, will present artist survival skills for artists working in all disciplines. She will discuss how to professionally present your work; information and tips on preparing a strong grant application; how to get informed about the funding and exhibition possibilities available to Washington State artists; and information on professional resources, health care, insurance, emergency assistance, and legal services available to artists. Heather Joy will also present information about Artist Trust’s grant programs, information services, and the EDGE Professional Development Training Program for visual artists.

Jefferson Arts Alliance presents the following 2006 workshops:

Note- please visit our workshops page or call the Center for more information and registration forms.

Landscape Painting with Pastels, August 19th (9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.) and August 20th (10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.) with Sally McCabe. Beginning and intermediate students will learn basic design, composition principles, and how to use materials and supplies unique to pastel painting. Students will observe demonstrations, working toward finishing a painting of their own. Location: Fort Worden, Building 205 upstairs. Cost: $120. Workshop Chair: Marianna Sullivan - (360) 385-0762 or Mys1011@aol.com .

“Polymer Fiber and Art Doll Class”, September 11 – 12, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Donna Snow. Create a small ball-jointed doll using polymer clay, fiber, and miscellany. You will learn how to make a simple head using a ping pong ball. The first day will be spent constructing all body parts. The second day will be spent making the body-proper, assembling, and time allowing, costuming the doll. Optional third half day studio time available for solo work and free advice included in class price (11 A.M. – 2 P.M.) Location: Donna’s Port Ludlow Studio. Cost: $120, plus materials fee of $25. Contact: Lois James at 437-0422 or loisj@cablespeed.com.

“Chinese Watercolor Class”, September 11 – 12, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Yu-Ming Zhu. The Chinese watercolor paintings of artist Yu-Ming Zhu (known as Sumi-e) blend the styles of East and West. Besides the art of Chinese watercolor, Yu-Ming will teach the writing of big calligraphy with “Chi” (life force) and you will paint from live blooms in this class. Originally from Shanghai, China, Yu-Ming has taught Chinese painting for several years at local community colleges. In 1998, he was selected to demonstrate the Chinese painting for the educational tape, “Five Thoughts of Asian Arts”, made by the Seattle Art Museum and Channel 9. Location: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Port Townsend. Cost: $120. Contact: Jeanette Best at (360) 437-9579 or jbest@cablespeed.com

New classes!

Northwind Arts Alliance, in partnership with Fort Worden State Park, announces the following Art Workshops in connection with the 2006 Fort Worden Wildlife and Nature Art Exposition – October 7th and 8th. Workshop registration forms and more information may be obtained at www.northwindarts.org or stop by Northwind Arts Center to register.

“Wildlife in Acrylics”, October 3 – 5, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. with David Kitler. David Kitler resides in Calgary Canada, and is an internationally known wildlife artist whose work can be seen in some of North America’s major exhibits and art shows. During his workshop, while working on the wildlife subject of your choice, David will review drawing and painting basics while also teaching techniques that are specific to painting with acrylics. Learn how to paint various textures such as fur, feathers, and backgrounds – as well as eyes, that will make your paintings come alive. Learning will be facilitated by a small class of 15, live demonstrations, slide shows, and a critique of the participants’ work. Location: Building 204 at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: $300. (Lunch will be provided each day at Fort Worden Commons. A supply list will be provided to all participants.) Contact: Sandra Lizut at (360) 379-1511 or sand@cablespeed.com.

“Travel and Paint Watercolor Process”, October 9, 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Dorothy Matthews. The ability to paint gorgeous landscapes “on the go” takes preparation and practice. Dorothy Matthews has been honing her skills for 30 years. Her process includes thumbnail ink sketches, digital photographs of the scene for later reference, sketching of composition, and finally painting – either on location or in her studio. Students will go outside to take photos and work on location for the workshop. If the weather is unwilling, the painting portion of the workshop will be indoors. Her list of materials includes a camera but, if not available, she can provide digital photos. Dorothy will also bring a “portable store” of art supplies at a reduced rate that she is willing to sell to students. Location: Seminar Room at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: $80. (Lunch provided at the Fort Worden Commons.) Contact: Laurie Perrett at (360) 385-6534 or perrett@cablespeed.com.

“Nature Prints using Watercolor”, October 9, 9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Sandra Rokoff-Lizut and Laurie Perrett. This workshop is for beginners and printmakers who want to explore new directions. A simple watercolor monotype process will be used on Japanese rice paper. Collage, dried or waxed vegetation, stamps, sponges, or your own artwork will augment nature themes. Most of the materials will be provided. Sandra Rokoff-Lizut is an expert in monotype printing and collage. Laurie Perrett has art education degree and enjoys exploring new techniques and mediums. Location: House 352 (near campground) at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: $80, plus a materials fee. (Lunch provided at Fort Worden Commons.) Contact: Laurie Perrett at (360) 385-6534 or perrett@cablespeed.com.

“Introduction to Glass Etching and Stained Glass”, October 10 – 11, (9:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Nancy Rody. This workshop will introduce students to basic methods of glass cutting, glass etching, lead cane panel construction and soldering. Glass safety concepts will be stressed. Students will etch a clear glass bevel with a wildlife or nature image using a precut stencil or a stencil of their own design. Each student will leave the class with a glass panel suitable for hanging. There will be a simple supply list including a hair blow dryer (if available), old shirt or apron, black Sharpie marker, craft knife with new blade, sharp scissors and rubber cement. All other supplies will be available from the instructor. Nancy Rody has expertise in creating stained glass windows, tiffany style lamps, glass mosaic tabletops, and etched glass panels. Location: Seminar Room at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: $160, plus a material fee. (Lunch provided at the Fort Worden Commons. Most materials and tools will be provided.) Contact: Laurie Perrett at (360) 385-6534 or Perrett@cablespeed.com.

“Digital Photography an Introduction and Beyond”. It begins with an evening lecture on Oct. 10th at 7:00 P.M. and continues on October 11, 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M., both with Ron Long. Canadian born Ron Long was employed as a full time photographer for Simon Fraser University for 36 years, and has taught photography classes for over 30 years. Ron’s evening lecture is a prerequisite for the following day’s workshop. However, guests are welcome to attend the lecture only. Ron will cover essential information for digital photography and offer an extensive question and answer period. The following daylong workshop will consist of more lectures, shooting photographs outdoors, and then critiquing photos taken. Ron will download digital camera images for the critique. Students will need to bring their own digital camera with a battery charger or extra batteries to the day session. Location: Blue Room (upstairs in the Park Office) at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: Lecture only - $15; workshop - $125. (Lunch provided at Fort Worden Commons.) Contact: Sandra Lizut at (360) 379-1511 or sand@cablespeed.com.

“Introduction to Fabric Screen Printing”, October 11, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. with Ginny King. Each student will make a screen of his or her own design using a thermal process. Cotton fabric will be printed using the screens. Techniques for applying color, texture, and design will be covered through lectures and demonstrations in the workshop. Ginny King has been screen-printing fabric since 1972. She has studied extensively with Jane Dunnewold, author of “The Complex Cloth” and also with quilt artist David Walker. Location: House 352 (near campground) at Fort Worden State Park. Cost: $80, plus a $15 material fee. (Lunch will be provided at the Fort Worden Commons.) Contact: Ginny King at (360) 385-2026 or gal4fiber@cablespeed.com.

Poetry News

Our August 10, the reading (7:00 p.m., Northwind Arts Center) features popular local poets Rusty North and Leticia Huber. Raven will accompany Leticia’s reading on guitar.

Rusty North says, “I became addicted to poetry before I could read or write. I was fortunate in having folks who were wonderful readers, so, by the time I found out I was supposed to be bored with it, it was too late. I was hooked.” Rusty has written poetry for seventy-five years. She has published poetry, as owner and editor of the Sagittarius Press, for thirty years. She taught a module called, “The Poet’s Press” at Evergreen State College and made a video of area poets that she presented at Centrum and at Seattle’s Bumbershoot Arts Festival. “I still write and publish, and intend to maintain my habit ‘til it is time to go. My dearest wish is to infect everyone else.”

Leticia Huber was born and educated in Mexico, where she became an accomplished actress and a published writer and poet. She has been a professor of Spanish for University of California at San Diego and United States International University. She is a linguist, interpreter, published poet and poetry translator, and she and her husband own Huber’s Inn in Port Townsend. “Colors, music, textures, feelings, sounds, movement, flavors are poetry,” Leticia says. “In fact, poetry seems to be all-encompassing; and it comes through us—in spite of us—as long as we accept it and allow it. Poetry is in everything and it is mainly healing.”

Raven is a lifelong musician, actor, and magician who lives in Port Townsend. He is an outspoken activist for peace and nonviolence as well as a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in voice and Native American flute. With vast performing experience, Raven has numerous compositions and recordings to his credit, and teaches performing arts.

In the Know

Want to really be in the know? You can find all of the “arty” happenings for Port Angeles, Sequim, and Port Townsend at http://www.olympicartscalendar.org/. Check it out and then bookmark it! Here are just 2 samples of events (complete information can be found at the website):

Quilcene Art Walk: August 1, 2:00 – 5:00 P.M.
Music at McComb Road Nursery: August 6, 1:00 – 2:00 P.M., in Sequim

See you next month-

Rae Belkin

Newsletter Editor