Autumn’s glory on display at First Friday Art Walk

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, November 2, 2022

The Nov. 4 First Friday Art Walk Color theme is brown — the color of fall harvest and abundance, turning of leaves, sweet chocolate and seasonal spicy treats. Brown represents steadfast alliances, community minded activities, solid assemblies, family trees with deep roots and supportive branches, and warm, comforting homesteads.

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 your own map, find special events, links and how to be part of art.

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.

On Nov. 4, find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in shades of bountiful brown or representations of hearth and harvest as they enjoy an evening on the town with down to earth friends and family.

Special events

The 17th-annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival continues including the fiber arts exhibition “Interlaced Lore — Adventure, Fellowship, & Perseverance” at Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave. During the Art Walk, many fiber artists will be selling their amazing works during our Fiber Arts Market along with some demonstrations of creativity in fiber. The North Olympic Shuttle and Spindle Guild will be there as well to share about their 40-year-old-plus education organization that includes fiber artists, fiber animal owners, beginners to advanced creators and the curious at heart.

Exhibit artists include Lora Armstrong, Libby Ballard, Lynn Baritelle, Holly Bliss, Renne Emiko Brock, Donna Lee Dowdney, Liisa Fagerlund, Susanne Foster, Jennifer Harris, Estelle Jackson, Lee E. Johnson, Susan Kroll, Robin Nelson, Jennifer O’Brien, Betty Oppenheimer, Pauline Schultz, Peggy St. George, Marla Varner, Chandra Wu and Jean Wyatt.

This fiber arts exhibition embraces fantastical and very true stories of endurance and friendship through heroic efforts, tests and trials, collaborations, and leading by example. The treasured gift of creativity is within all who seek it. No map can guide you as you craft it yourself through valiant efforts, tests, and epic dye mix takes. Gather fabric stashes, skeins of yarn, courageous companions, and wise mentors to prepare for this everlasting journey of fiber art. What legends of dedication, commitment to bound connections, intertwined myths, and persistence weave stories within your art?

The North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival is an opportunity to experience positive inclusion, creative expression, encouraged education, the economic enterprise of art, and fostering fiber arts. Join us for this interactive fiber arts event connecting to the community with activities like a museum exhibition, educational demonstrations of fiber processes, hands-on experiences for children and adults, Fiber Arts Market of local artists’ work and fiber supplies, and information about local fiber activities, groups, businesses, and instructional resources.

Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., features “Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies!” with artists Jolene Sanborn and Julie Senf leading a celebration of the Olympic Peninsula in beautiful autumn with their colorful paintings. These two ladies have much in common when it comes to what inspires them to paint. They are great friends having met eight years ago. They chose to title their windows “Oh Beautiful for Spacious Sky” out of their love of the Peninsula and their deep concern for the political division in the country they both love so much. One is deeply conservative, the other very liberal. They honor their differences, respect each other’s opinions and revel in the values they share…a mutual love of art, life, and our community.

Sanborn was born in Colorado where she spent her summers in the mountains at a family ranch. Family vacations were spent camping and fishing. She moved to Washington state 45 years ago and spends as much time as she can outside and in the mountains. The views and scenery of the Peninsula feed her spirit and inspire her painting.

Senf was born in Washington, and lived part of her early childhood in Alaska but has been living on the Peninsula for over 45 years. She has been an avid outdoors person her whole life. She loves the Peninsula with its grandeur and vistas. It speaks to her soul, grounds her Christian beliefs, and inspires her art. So much diversity is here, in an all-inclusive and beautifully wrapped package she calls “the OP.”

Pacific Mist — Books, Cards & Gifts, 122 W. Washington St., hosts artist Sue Young of A Sweet Haven with her handmade vintage book journals and stickers. Her new Mini Blessing Books and cute white sweater pumpkins will also be on sale. Young is a resident of Sequim and said she loves to create with both paper and fabric.

Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., features a sweet evening of chocolate. Join Forage for a tasting of the season with November sweets event featuring local and regional sweets and treats from around the area.

At the City of Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., the City Arts Advisory Commission hosts the juried exhibition is “Solstice” in the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery.

From 6-8 p.m., 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 glass, pottery, illustration and photography by local artists. Also, find artful, creative tea blends, colorful and fun teapots and cups, and cheerful culinary gifts.

Locally created gifts don Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop, 120 W. Washington St., including farm-fresh lavender creations, treats and inspired vintage décor items.

At Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., enjoy award-winning artfully crafted wines and appetizing tidbits.

Soup in the Alley, 138 W. Washington St., features a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.

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. Nov. 4

Location: Various venues near downtown Sequim

On the web: SequimArtWalk.com