First Friday Art Walk Sequim’s color theme for March is green — with glowing lights to celebrate our Sequim sunshine even at night.
Unearth an evening filled with green apparel and glow-in-the-dark adornment that hints of promising starts, spring sprouting, revitalized good fortune and motivated anticipation.
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 a own map, find special events and links, and learn how to be part of art.
Discover newfangled art, sun inspired events, and imaginative folks supporting the option to decorate and dress in all shades of green while you stroll on the town with friends.
Initiated in 2006, the Art Walk is an encouraging and educational arts event sponsored and produced by Renne Brock with a mission to create approachable, accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity.
Special events
The fifth-annual Sequim Sunshine Festival starts on Friday with lots of interactive and sunny activities around town! See story in this edition (page A-1) or see visitsunnysequim.com/263/Sequim-Sunshine-Festival.
Art-related events include Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe citizen Mackenzie Grinnell sharing “Why it is Always Sunny in Sequim” at 5:10 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St., and the Interactive Light Experience by Ross Brown at the Pioneer Memorial Park clubhouse at Pioneer Memorial Park, 387 E. Washington St., throughout Friday and Saturday.
The festival also features work by 2024 Sunshine Festival Poster Artist Mary Lewis of Sequim. “For the last few years, I have focused on using upcycled magazines as my principle medium,” Lewis said. “I incorporate techniques stemming from creating mosaics, stained glass, collage, and painting. Colors and patterns are cut out of magazines into pieces and glued together into a ‘mosaic.’ As an upcycled magazine artist I chose to do somewhat of a direct representation of the Sunshine Festival and its most popular events, with the sun of course being the focal point. Sunshine is something the entire community looks forward to seeing more of after a long winter.”
From 7-9 p.m. at the Olympic Theatre Arts Gathering Hall, 414 N. Sequim Ave., enjoy a free concert by the Navy Band Northwest Popular Music Group’s five-piece band.
Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St. has the “Here Come Spring!” with Marilyn Hiestand and John Bertholl. Hiestand’s mediums range from watercolors to silk painting. Bertholl moved to Sequim 10 years ago and got “hooked” on working with driftwood.
In the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery at Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave., visit the “Inspiration/Exploration” a traveling Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) exhibition. SAQA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt: “a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.”
Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St., will host an evening of poetry readings with Jaiden Dokken, who will be selling their poetry zines and some other written goodies. Dokken is a writer, reader, ceramicist, stamp-carver and illustrator, as well as an editor and Reader for Perennial Press. They are currently serving as Clallam County’s first Poet Laureate.
River House Bakery & Cafe, 120 W. Bell St., hosts local artists with delicious food and bakery items. This month, the North Olympic Watercolor (NOW) collective presenting artists are Terri Adams, Gayle Brauner, Annette Clem, Connie Drysdale, James Gift, Shannon Goose, Marilyn Heistand and Sue Rescigna.
The A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery, 520 N. Sequim Ave., will be featuring the artworks of Cat Stanfield and Pat Warner. Join artists in the main gallery for tasty bites and refreshments and journey into the thoughts and moods of place and expression in the abstract works of our two featured artists. While at the gallery, take a look around the corner into Anne Milligan’s pastel studio to see what’s new on the easel this month; and view some of her finished pieces on display in the digital studio.
Stanfield has been an artist since childhood. She studied Fine Arts and Interior Design at the Design Institute of San Diego. Her work as a professional model with the Elite Model Agency took her to New York City and Paris, where she was immersed in the beautifully sophisticated world of high fashion and design; all of which influence the appealing modern aesthetic apparent in her current works. Her “SeaRenity” collection is a series of original mixed media abstract expressionism. Living close to the water in San Diego and now in the Pacific Northwest, Cat says of her collection, “I have a deep appreciation for the awe-inspiring beauty, vastness and energy of the ocean. Its power seems infinite and eternal.”
Warner is an engineer by trade and an artist by heart. She is originally from Massachusetts, but now enjoys her home in Sequim. She also paints her abstracts in an expressionist manner, though her methods and results differ from her fellow exhibitor. Her self-immersed approach to painting involves layering, scraping, using various found tools and her fingers to manipulate her surfaces and materials. Her works are based on real and imagined landscapes and her creations have an organic, familiar feel. Pat says, “I’m influenced by the connections in nature; how colors, shapes and textures connect and how these all combine to make a connection with my viewer.”
Wild Goddess Brews-n-Bites, 145 E. Washington St. Suite D ,has small bites, salads, dips and boards. Have a comfy seat and enjoy a wide selection of beverages along with delightful live music.
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.
Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., features local and regional gifts and treats from around the area. Check out their unique creations full of Pacific Northwest and Sequim pride.
Soup in the Alley, 138 W. Washington St., features a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s Sequim Habitat Boutique Store at 213 E. Washington St. has live music with Reckless Dove (formerly The OG).
Sequim Spice and Tea, 139 W. Washington St., has unique art including glass, pottery, illustration, and photography of local artists. Find artful, creative tea blends, colorful and fun teapots and cups, and cheerful culinary gifts.
Over the Fence, a destination home and garden store at 118 E. Washington St., hosts one of their local makers.
At Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St. enjoy award winning artfully crafted wines and appetizing tidbits.
La Petite Maison Blanche, 213 E. Washington St., features pastel artist Susan Kuznitsky with uniquely curated gifts and festive treats throughout the shop.
Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop, 120 W. Washington St., has farm-fresh lavender creations, treats and inspired vintage décor items.
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. March 1
Location: Various venues near downtown Sequim
On the web: SequimArtWalk.com