Sequim First Friday Art Walk in silver, black, white

First Friday Art Walk Sequim

When: 5-8 p.m., Jan. 5

Where: Various venues throughout downtown Sequim

The Jan. 5 Sequim First Friday Art Walk color theme is silver, with hints of black and white, to celebrate the New Year filled with reflection, hope and idealistic goals for the future.

To create inclusion between venues, artists, and audience, everyone is encouraged to participate in the Art Walk’s monthly color themes as a fun community activity in any creative form they wish to express it.

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 each month. Visit SequimArtWalk.com to download a map, find special events, links and learn how to be part of art.

The mission of the event, organizers say, is to create approachable and accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity.

Special events

The Sequim-Dungness Valley Chamber Merchant Group and First Friday Art Walk Sequim presents the fifth-annual “Whodunnit Downtown? — The Case of the Silver Lining Secret Formula” Mystery Game. It’s a fun-filled evening as participants step back in time to the 1950s, where visitors collect clues about suspects at various venues to solve the crime and a chance to win a prize.

The story is set in 1956. At the community rally to announce Dr. Sean Steel’s “Silver Lining Secret Formula” discovery, the police instead announce the doctor’s lab has been ransacked and the chemist is missing. Not only is Dr. Steel missing, but so is the notebook containing the “Secret Formula.” Who has absconded with the notebook? Where is the chemist? What is the “Silver Lining Secret Formula”?

Starting at 5 p.m., mingle with the suspects in the mystery game at Sequim Art Walk venues, and discover why they might have Dr. Steel’s “Secret Formula.” Solve this crime by finding clues at these local businesses: Bag Ladies of Sequim, 161 W. Washington St.; Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St.; City of Sequim’s Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., Fieldnotes, 123 E. Washington St.; Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., Heather Creek, 122 W. Washington St.; Peninsula Taproom, 210 W. Washington St.; Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St.; R & T Crystals ‘n’ Beads, 158 E. Bell St.; Sunshine Café, 145 W. Washington St.; That Takes the Cake at 171 W. Washington St., and Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W. Washington St.

Pick up a game card at any of the participating venues. Fill out the card, enter it at Sunshine Café at 145 W. Washington St., and be part of the prize drawing for the correct answer at 7:30 p.m. No purchase necessary; must be 21+ to win, but need not be present to win. A winner will be drawn by random and prizes donated by local Sequim businesses. The first game card drawn with the correct answer wins the big prize of encouraging experiences.

Visitors and sleuths to the “Whodunnit Downtown?” and Sequim Art Walk are encouraged to dress in our themed colors of silver, black and white, as well as in 1950s era attire.

The City of Sequim and the City Arts Advisory Commission Reception for the “Raining Cats and Dogs” art exhibition is at Sequim Civic Center from 5-7 p.m. located at 152 W Cedar St. The exhibit will showcase artwork of many mediums with images of cats and dogs. There will also be free workshops related to the care and local informational services for domestic animals.

Rainshadow Café at 157 W. Cedar St. hosts author and photographer Alicia Demetropolis, of LifeBridge Wellness Services, sharing photographs from her recent trip to Nepal. Demetropolis spent three months journeying through Kathmandu and the surrounding valley, feeding the homeless, doing elder care, and training medical professionals on some of the tools we use here in the States. She used this time to assess elder care centers for a Nepali NGO as well.

Along with locally roasted coffee, Northwest craft beer, wine, and cheese platter’s and charcuterie plates there is live music with Chex Ferguson from 6-8 p.m. The music of Chex Ferguson has been described as “folkadelic groove for your soul.” He weaves originals, covers and improvisational journeys on guitar, flute and vocals.

In celebration of the New Year, Blue Whole Gallery presents a group show titled “Back to Basics: Black and White” at 129 W. Washington St. Curated by Nancy Lawrence and Gregory Felando, this show reveals the challenge presented when limiting the palette. Working in black and white lays bare the elements of design and reveals of the expressive strength of the work. Artists featured include Felando, Lawrence, Lynne Armstrong, Terri Biondolino, Jeannie Chappell, Marilynn Evans, Katherine Loveland, Priscilla Patterson and Ryoko Toyama.

Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W. Washington St. hosts Hot Llamas, a local bluegrass/newgrass band from a mixture of musicians from Sequim and Port Angeles. Partnered with this live music, enjoy award-winning wines and appetizing tidbits.

New to the Art Walk, discover tasty crafted outstanding brews and treats at the Peninsula Taproom at 210 W. Washington St., Suite 4.

Olympic Theatre Arts at 414 N Sequim Ave. welcomes to the stage Victorian-dressed clarinet ensemble Toot Sweet to perform “Story-telling Through Music” during First Friday Art Walk Sequim beginning at 5:30 p.m.

‘Toot Sweet’ is comprised of Bb clarinetists Nancy Peterson of Port Ludlow, Mark Holman of Poulsbo and Janet Proebstel of Sequim plus bass clarinetist Vicky Blakesley of Sequim. The concert features several musical pieces that tell stories of heroes and heroines from various operas and plays. There is no charge for admission to the performance. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase from OTA volunteers.

About Art Walk

This educational arts event is sponsored and produced by unique as you / Renne Emiko Brock.

To create inclusion between venues, artists, and audience, all are 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.

To participate as a venue or artist on the Official First Friday Art Walk Sequim Map, listing and website, contact Renne Brock at 360-460-3023 or renne@uniqueasyou.com. Artists of any media on the Art Walk are encouraged to get information to Brock for publicity and opportunities. Also, see www.facebook.com/sequimartwalk.