September 2006 NEWSLETTER: “Arty Things To Do”

Gallery Happenings

"the calendar project" - detail Fragments of the Heart" - detail

“Kim Kopp and Dorothy Rissman”

From September 1 to October 1, Northwind will showcase the works of two accomplished artists. Kim Kopp lives and works in Port Townsend. She has been a painter for more than 20 years earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago and her Masters Degree from the University of Chicago. Her art process embraces the disciplines of painting, drawing, printmaking, and bookbinding. She employs graphite, dry pigments, acrylic paint, and mediums on Japanese papers over hand-built panels.

Dorothy Rissman comments, “clay is the material that can take any form and hence be cool and elegant or torn and distressed. These adjectives, for me, represent the anomaly of life.” She works with large slabs of low fire paper clay- ripping the edges or piecing together sections then painting the clay with dry pigments. As someone who has gone back to clay after 13 years of painting, she “loves being able to break the constraint of a piece of canvas and the associated geometry.”

An opening reception will be held on September 2, from 5:30 – 8:00 P.M. in conjunction with Port Townsend’s monthly Art Walk.

“Coffee, Talk, & Dessert” Series

On September 15th, Kim Kopp and Dorothy Rissman will discuss their work in the new show- with plenty of opportunity for questions. 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.

Jefferson Arts Alliance presents the following 2006 workshops:

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

“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

On September 14th, the Northwind Reading Series presents Port Townsend writers Erin Fristad and Gayle Kaune.

After 15 years of commercial fishing, Erin Fristad finally has a job that doesn’t require wearing rubber pants or crossing the Columbia River bar in January. She now works as Goddard College’s Port Townsend liaison, employed by the same college at which she earned her MFA. Erin teaches poetry and creative writing in a surprising range of venues. Her poems are published or forthcoming in journals and anthologies including Americas Review, The Blue Collar Review, Hanging Loose, Mute Note Earthward: a Washington Poets Association Anthology, Periphery 2004, Raven Chronicles, Rosebud, Seattle Review, and Stringtown.

Gayle Kaune has published widely in literary magazines including Centennial Review, Greenfield Review, Seattle Review, South Florida Review, and Willow Springs. Her poems have won several Washington Poets Association awards, as well as the Ben Hur Lampman Prize, and her poetry has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her chapbooks include N-Sid-Sen Star and Concentric Circles, which won the Flume Press award. Her book Still Life in the Physical World is available from Blue Begonia Press. After 25 years in the Eastern Washington desert, she recently moved to Port Townsend.

Volunteer Opportunity

At long last you can bulk up without going to a gym. Northwind Arts Alliance is looking for someone to head the Bulk Mailing Committee. You would have to organize a bulk mailing every 2 months or so. You will have helpers and also be trained. If this sounds like something of interest to you, please call Sylvia White at 379-6833.

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 add it to your “Favorites” list. Here are just 2 samples of events (complete information can be found at the website):

· Quilcene Art Walk: September 2, beginning at 11:00 A.M.

· Waterfront Art Gallery Open House: Located in the Landing Mall in Port Angeles, there will be an Open House on September 9th from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Afternoon demonstrations will begin at 1:00 P.M.

See you next month-

Rae Belkin

Newsletter Editor