First Friday Art Walk Sequim coincides with Irrigation Festival

The Sequim Irrigation Festival “where water is wealth” motto inspires the aqua color theme celebrating cultivation and culture during the May 2 First Friday Art Walk Sequim.

The color aqua expresses responsible, sustainable elements of cool fresh water, abundant salty seas, renewing rain, and bright sunny skies. Art and music inspired by our natural resources, creativity, positive partnerships, and revolutionary ideas are included in the May Art Walk.

“Where History Flows and Futures Grow” is this year’s Sequim Irrigation Festival tagline and besides wearing the color aqua, there is a Steampunk theme as well!

For 130 years, the Sequim Irrigation Festival has stood as a testament to the strong spirit of this vibrant community. Originating in 1896, it was a jubilant response to the completion of the longest irrigation ditch in the United States, which brought life-giving water to the fertile lands of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. Explore the creative and friendly community building events for all ages during the two weeks of the festival at https://irrigation festival.com.

First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a fun and free self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Visit SequimArtWalk.com to download and print your own map, find out what special events are happening, links, and how you can be part of art.

Initiated in 2006, the First Friday Art Walk Sequim is an encouraging and educational arts event that is sponsored and produced by Renne Emiko Brock. Our mission is to create approachable and accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity.

Special events

Blue Whole Gallery at 129 W. Washington St. presents “Finding Wonder in Beauty” with Deborah Harrison and Nancy Peet.

Harrison is a layered glass artist. Trained in traditional stained glass, she found that technique too limiting. Through experimentation she developed layered glass, giving her work a lyrical, three-dimensional quality. She derives the inspiration for her creations from our Olympic Peninsula environment.

“I find myself restored and renewed by the beauty here,” states Harrison. “All of this informs my glass creations.”

Peet, who has a degree in art from the University of Washington, uses watercolor to express the joy and wonder of color found in nature. She specializes in large, vibrant florals, reflecting her deep appreciation for the world’s natural wonders.

“Each brushstroke is an emotional expression for me,” Peet said. “My intent is to invite the viewers to experience the wonder of color and marvel at the beauty around us.”

Artist Kathy Nichols, who specializes in greeting cards and prints, returns to Pondicherri at 121 E. Washington St. to demonstrate how to do a small-scale water color – a dragonfly. Participation is free, and supplies will be provided. Please let them know you’re coming by calling 360-681-0954.

Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures at 121 W. Washington St. is showcasing “What’s all the BUZZ about?” They will have local apiary Miss Bee Haven Honey & Pollen. And new to the scene: Honey Bear Candles from Vancouver. Products will be available for purchase that evening, including other bee-related items bringing awareness for the need to cultivate and save our pollinating bees.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s Sequim Habitat Boutique at 213 E. Washington St. will feature the live music of Reckless Dove. Look for performances by The Juan de Fuca Harmony Chorus as well.

At the Sequim Museum & Arts at 544 N. Sequim Ave., the featured artist in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery is long-time Sequim resident Ed Sumpter with “DeColores.” He is an artist at heart, and after putting his brushes down for a couple of decades, it was time to get back to what he loves.

For the last eight years, Sumpter has created a diverse collection of paintings.

“Artifical Intelligence is seeping into and even sometimes dominating the creative space,” Sumpter said. “I recognize more than ever the value of our individual thought and unique contributions. The meditative focus I find myself in when I’m painting clears my mind and helps facilitate my persistence.”

The A. Milligan Art Studio & Gallery at 520 N. Sequim Ave. presents “The Pacific Northwest Impressions Exhibit” featuring a duet of artists, Michelle Lindblom and Linda Tilley, whose works showcase two distinct methods of artistic expression describing the poetic beauty of the pacific northwest.

Linda Tilley’s representational works are a serene immersion into our endless scenic landscapes. Painting primarily in oil, Tilley says she is drawn to paint “en plein air,” inspired by the intensity of color, light, atmosphere and the energies of the world outside. She also uses the time she spends in nature to inform the works she creates when painting inside her studio.

From her home in Port Townsend, she’s traveled regionally and to Europe following her passion for plein air painting, continually learning and honing her skills to capture the experiences that she shares on her canvases. Over the years, this award-winning artist has had her work juried into multiple regional shows and exhibitions; and her paintings are hung in private collections across the United States.

Lindblom’s acrylic paintings and monotypes take you on an abstract and ethereal journey through her mesmerizing interpretations of the natural world. She holds advanced degrees in the fine arts and taught visual arts at the college level for over 24 years. Now residing in Sequim, the Bend, Oregon native has served on community arts committees and as a gallery coordinator and exhibition juror. Her artwork has been exhibited across the United States and in Europe. Lindblom says her approach to making marks is intuitive, “Once the process begins, it becomes a visual playground of colors, textures, shapes and movement. As the work evolves, intuition and formal knowledge guide the exploration, experimentation and discovery. My imagery portrays the continuous dialogues with my psyche, along with my awareness of the nuances of everyday experiences.”

As always, while you’re visiting the main gallery, take a peek around the corner into Anne Milligan’s pastel studio for any works that might be in progress; and see some of her finished pieces on display in the digital studio.

Over the Fence at 118 E. Washington St. is hosting local artist Mary Beth Beuke of West Coast Sea Glass. Beuke creates high quality, fine silver art-jewelry that features the world’s rarest sea glass pieces in every color. A photographer, her book “The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass” has been on one of Amazon’s “best seller” lists. Beuke founded the West Coast Sea Glass company in 1998. She has studied jewelry design, metal smithing and has been creating wearable art for over 40 years.

“The unique beauty of sea glass is that each piece is distinct from the next and has been on a one-of-a-kind journey. I believe the piece of sea glass usually dictates the form of jewelry that it will eventually find itself.”

It is also Moms Night Out at Over the Fence.

From 6-8 p.m., Rainshadow Café at 157 W, Cedar St. has live music with Dawn & Steve along with a full menu and drinks. Dancing is encouraged.

Sequim Spice and Tea at 139 W. Washington St. has unique art including glass, pottery, illustration, and photography of local artists. You can also find artful, creative tea blends, colorful and fun teapots and cups, and cheerful culinary gifts.

Alder Wood Bistro at 139 W. Alder St. has artisan wood-fired local, seasonal, organic food in the heart of Sequim. While you dine, check out their walls filled with unique art by local artists.

Sofie’s Flowers at 127 W. Washington St. features Kari Hardin of Render Studio. She is a painter, illustrator, printmaker, and tattoo artist whose work draws heavily from the natural world and leans into an illustrative, often surreal style. With a lifelong passion for art, Kari has spent the past six years focusing more intentionally on her creative practice, using it as a therapeutic outlet and form of storytelling. Her art explores imagination and emotion with a sense of curiosity. and openness, as seen in her pivotal series “Fisher Kings”, which marks a turning point in her career. Sofie’s is filled with inspired décor with local and unforgettable gifts.

Pacific Pantry at 229 S. Sequim Avenue is open until 7 p.m. and hosts a rotation of local artists.

La Petite Maison Blanche at 213 E. Washington St. features artwork, uniquely curated gifts, and culinary goodies. Explore the support of local artists and performers such as Katy Lily.

Pacific Mist Books at 122 W. Washington St. offers an eclectic mix of new and vintage books, cards, and gifts including local authors and artists.

Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W. Washington St. features live music, award winning artfully crafted wines, and appetizing tidbits.

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

Olympic Peninsula YMCA at 610 N. Fifth Ave. is launching their new Art Gallery in the YMCA of Sequim. Artworks from paintings, photographs and 3-dimensional art-forms were submitted by a variety of Y staff and members that are now on display. The gallery is open during the First Friday Art Walk Sequim hours of 5-8 p.m.