City of Sequim sets gallery dedication, holiday tree lighting

By Sequim Gazette Staff • November 27, 2019 1:30 am
Family and friends gather in October to commemorate the Sequim Civic Center being named after longtime Sequim city clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese, who was unable to attend the occasion due to being in the hospital. There for the occasion were, top left, Robb Reese, husband, Paula Swisher, Washington Municipal Clerk’s Association (WMCA) president; second row, Carolyn Gallaway, Jefferson County deputy clerk, Virginia Olsen, WMCA immediate past president; third row, Helen Kuznek, mother, Mary Bower, retired Clallam Transit clerk, Joanna Sanders, City of Port Townsend clerk; bottom row, Sharon DelaBarre, past chairman City Arts Advisory Commission, Alicia Neal, daughter, and Brody Neal, grandson. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Family and friends gather in October to commemorate the Sequim Civic Center being named after longtime Sequim city clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese, who was unable to attend the occasion due to being in the hospital. There for the occasion were, top left, Robb Reese, husband, Paula Swisher, Washington Municipal Clerk’s Association (WMCA) president; second row, Carolyn Gallaway, Jefferson County deputy clerk, Virginia Olsen, WMCA immediate past president; third row, Helen Kuznek, mother, Mary Bower, retired Clallam Transit clerk, Joanna Sanders, City of Port Townsend clerk; bottom row, Sharon DelaBarre, past chairman City Arts Advisory Commission, Alicia Neal, daughter, and Brody Neal, grandson. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

City staff are inviting the community to celebrate the holiday season — and one of the area’s arts advocates.

The City of Sequim and the City Arts Advisory Commission host two celebratory events on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.

At 5:15 p.m., the city hosts a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery. Kuznek-Reese, City of Sequim clerk from 1998-2019, helped create the City Arts Advisory Commission that was established in 2014.

Kuznek-Reese died on Nov. 14.

The Sequim City Council voted unanimously at their Oct. 25 meeting to name the gallery inside the civic center the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery.

“Her dedication and love of all artistic forms, combined with her enthusiasm and hard work were instrumental in establishing the gallery at the Civic Center as a significant, positive addition to the local community arts scene,” city officials said in a press release.

Tree lighting

At 6 p.m., following the gallery dedication, join city representatives for the lighting of the holiday tree on display in the civic center lobby.

The tree will be decorated with ornaments created by local fourth-grade/9-year-old youths. The theme for this year’s ornaments was “Nature’s Creatures: Real or Mythical.” Student artists and their families are invited to this celebration.

Following the lighting of the tree, enjoy a reception with cake and punch and view the “Tie One On” art exhibit in the gallery.

For more information, contact arts coordinator Cyndi Hueth at 360-582-2477 or chueth@sequimwa.gov.