Similar to how Olympic Driftwood Sculptors seek out the right pieces of wood to sculpt art, club members hope visitors find their way to inspiration at the club’s annual show this weekend.
The Olympic Driftwood Sculptors’ Driftwood Show is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18 in the Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim.
As tradition, the show is free with donations supporting rental costs and college scholarships for local students going into the arts.
There will be demonstrations from sculptors who are open to talking about their process, raw wood for sale, a Driftwood Boutique with funds supporting the scholarship fund, and a raffle sculpture made by several club members.
Photographs are welcome, organizers said.
New this year is a “Critters” category where artists use their imagination to create animals with driftwood.
“It should be fun and interesting to see what our artists have come up with,” said club instructor Tuttie Peetz.
This year, at least 60 pieces are anticipated to be on display in the center.
The club was established in 2008. The wood sculptors work with driftwood and “found” wood from a beach, forest, cedar cuts, desert, mountains, and other areas.
“As nature is always the best artist, we consider the wood a gift and trust the spirit of the wood to guide us to its ultimate conclusion,” the club’s website states.
“By using ‘found’ wood and sculpting it to its best end, some essence of the tree is left behind for us to revere and enjoy.”
Peetz said club members continue to take driftwood art down new avenues, such as incorporating metal.
“The object is to be as creative as possible and have fun with it,” she said previously.
The club’s annual show began in the River Center, moved to the Sequim Middle School, and is now back in the center after the Lavender Festival moved its Street Fair. With the center remodeled, Peetz said it’s a win-win-win for the center, club and community.
With its surrounding natural environment, Peetz said the driftwood art and center are connected and a good fit as “the people coming here are a different crowd, nature-oriented.”
Interested in driftwood?
All ages and abilities are welcome to try driftwood sculpting at the club’s monthly meeting from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Trinity United Methodist Church. 100 S. Blake Ave. Its next meeting is set for June 4.
Sign-ups for upcoming classes will be available at the show, along with brochures for club membership.
With questions, contact Peetz via email at trpeetz@gmail.com, by phone 360-683-6860, or via the website olympicdriftwoodsculptors.org.
Photo courtesy Kathy Bachman Kathy Bachman’s “Woodland Trough” and 60-plus other driftwood art pieces will be on display May 17-18 at the Dungeness River Nature Center. The Olympic Driftwood Sculptors welcome those interested in the art to come to the show and/or its monthly meetings the first Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Trinity United Methodist Church.
Olympic Driftwood Sculptors’ annual Art Show
Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 17
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18
Admission free, cameras welcome, raw wood for sale, boutique,
demonstrations, and a sculpture raffle for college scholarships
On the web, visit olympicdriftwoodsculptors.org
