First Friday Art Walk goes for gold this December

First Friday Art Walk Sequim’s color theme for December is gold, as we celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of the sun during December.

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.

As you enjoy an evening on the town with family, friends, and guests who join our welcoming community, you will find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in shades of gold or glittery interpretations of this festive time of year to celebrate happiness, harmony and hope.

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.

The First Friday Art Walk Sequim has returned while respecting the COVID-19 health and wellness guidelines of masks, social distancing, and limited capacity. Enjoy the arts and culture of Sequim safely. Venues are starting out small and not all are open fully with the slow start of the return of the evening activities of Sequim Art Walk; please visit them when they are open.

Special events

The Olympic Peninsula Art Association invites you to their Winter Members’ Art Show & Sale Fundraiser Opening at Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave. The annual event demonstrates both the variety of media interests and the diversity in artistic talents of OPAA’s membership. The show runs Dec. 3-22 and Jan. 19-31. Formerly Sequim Arts, OPAA is a nonprofit arts organization on the Olympic Peninsula since 1969. The group provides a forum where artists encourage each other and promote the understanding and appreciation of art for the benefit of members and the community by means of meetings, exhibits, demonstrations, newsletter and various other educational programs. Visit OPAA’s live and online members’ show at opaagroup.org and their fundraiser auction site at 2021membershow.opaashow.org.

During the Art Walk, the Karen Kuznek Reese Gallery at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., has a photographic exhibit portraying favorite story photographs of the Olympic Peninsula by Marina Shipova. The exhibit includes a digital presentation of Shipova’s work on a big screen that can be viewed through the window of the civic center at any time. Shipova was selected as the Artist Fellow for the Sequim Understory Project, a placemaking program that will result in the design of Centennial Place at the corner of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street.

Also in the Civic Center, all fourth-grade/9-year-old students in the Sequim School District, private schools and home schooled were invited to create an ornament to decorate the holiday tree that will be displayed from Dec. 3 through January 2022. The theme for these student-created ornaments is “The Importance of Kindness.” Sequim Civic Center hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., features the group show “Celebrating the Light” welcoming the holiday season in their front windows. From an illuminated layered glass sculpture to diverse paintings and whimsical pottery, artists depict the mystery of light in fine art form. In addition, the annual Gift Gallery, a special holiday display, is showcased in the main gallery for December. Gallery president Marilynn Evans will curate the show.

At Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W Washington St., enjoy award winning crafted wines, appetizing tidbits and hosts local watercolorists in December. Participating Art Friends artists are Beverly Beighle, Connie Drysdale, Melissa Doyel, Wendy Goldberg, Eva Hidalgo, Roger Huntley, Allyne Lawson, Jerri Moore, Shirley Rudolf and Randy Washburne.

Pacific Pantry, 229 S. Sequim Ave., is open until 7 p.m. and will feature artist Jaiden Dokken.

Pacific Mist Bookstore, 122 W. Washington St., hosts Jean Wyatt, a Sequim artist who loves color and has a whimsical/story-like style. She envisions everyday things like domestic living, classic trucks, nature and sports being done by birds, cats and other animals.

Olympic Theatre Arts Center, 414 N. Sequim Ave., has a 7:30 p.m. performance of “A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play.” Adapted for the stage by Joe Landry, with music by Kevin Connors and directed by Olivia Shea, this production returns to the Dickens classic but as told from the set of a 1940s radio broadcast. Get tickets for performances through Dec. 19 online at olympictheatrearts.org or call 360-683-7326.

A Stitch in Time Quilt Shoppe, 225 E. Washington St., will display works by the Peninsula Art Quilters, pieces that correspond with the monthly color theme. Each of the four featured quilts in the exhibit, “Collaboration,” were designed and mastered by multiple members of this local group. A Stitch in Time encourages people, if they have a quilt they made that coincides with the color designated for the Art Walk, to drop them off at their shop the day of the walk with their label and info attached to their quilt. (Note: this is the final chance to buy raffle tickets for the 2021 Sunbonnet Sue annual quilt; the drawing is set for Dec. 8.)

Sequim Spice and Tea, 139 W. Washington St., has artful, creative tea blends, colorful and fun teapots and cups and festive 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.

Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St., has lots of seating outside and inside with a full menu and drinks to enjoy.

For more

To participate as a venue or artist on the Official First Friday Art Walk Sequim map, listing and website, contact Emiko 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.

Marina Shipova’s photo display of favorite story photographs of the Olympic Peninsula will be on display at the Sequim Civic Center during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 3. Submitted art

“Blue Hydrangeas” by Allyne Lawson, a member of the Olympic Peninsula Art Association. The group hosts its Winter Members’ Art Show & Sale Fundraiser during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 3 at Sequim Museum & Arts. Submitted art

“Look at that Teal Cabin!!” by Shirley Rudolf; she and other members of the Olympic Peninsula Art Association host the group’s Winter Members’ Art Show & Sale Fundraiser during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 3 at Sequim Museum & Arts. Submitted art

Gretchen Sotebeer, whose piece “A Childhood Friend” is shown here, joins other members of the Olympic Peninsula Art Association in hosting the group’s Winter Members’ Art Show & Sale Fundraiser during the First Friday Art Walk on Dec. 3 at Sequim Museum & Arts. Submitted art