Olympic Peninsula Authors (OPA) joins the other artists at Blue Whole Gallery for an hour of readings from the recently published “Tall & True Tales of the Olympic Peninsula” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 — the first in a series of readings at the downtown art gallery.
OPA members will also be featured at readings on Aug. 10 and Aug. 24 at the gallery, 129 W. Washington St.
“Tall & True Tales of the Olympic Peninsula” is an anthology of stories, essays, memoirs and poems by area authors. The July 27 readings feature Pete Barthell, Heidi Hansen, Linda B. Myers, Chris Kleinfelter, Dianne Knox and Eva McGinnis.
The free event lasts about one hour. The community is invited to come early to view the works of area artists that fill the gallery. “Tall & True Tales of the Olympic Peninsula” and other books by the speakers will be available for sale following the event.
“It’s up to the audience to separate the tall tales from the true,” OPA representatives noted in a press release. “Both humor and pathos will be on display for listeners.”
The series will continue twice a month. Future readings will include poetry, children’s authors, short stories, novel excerpts and book launches.
Blue Whole Gallery celebrates 25 years in 2022, brings together more than 35 Northwest artists in a celebration of fine art, and hosts exhibitions and programs. For more information, email Jolene Sanborn at jhsanborn@hotmail.com.
Olympic Peninsula Authors organization sells books at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market on Saturdays, appears at major holiday fairs, hosts Fourth Friday open mic readings on Zoom, curates readings at Port Angeles Fine Arts Center and publishes an annual anthology.
About the authors/readers
• Barthell is a 30-year resident of Sequim who claims once in a blue moon to stumble on something where he can compose a beginning, middle and end. His humor comes to life as he read his essay, “How I Build Guitars.”
• Hansen is a co-founder of Olympic Peninsula Authors who has published three books of short stories. Is her tale, “Elmer’s Legacy,” tall or true? You be the judge.
• Myers is a co-founder of Olympic Peninsula Authors and novelist of 10 books. There can be no doubt of the tall in her selection, “Mutants Make a Movie.”
• Kleinfelter is a woodcrafter who has also created poems for three decades. His love of the peninsula is rich in his poems “The West End” and “A Storied Coast.”
• Knox is a prolific poet capable of the sensuous, the angry, the funny. You might find all three in her poem, “She’s the House.”
• McGinnis is a multi-award winner with three published books of poetry. In her selection, “Northwest Blackberry Picking,” she proves that activity might not be as fun as you think.
