SEQUIM — The Blue Whole Gallery will be a special stop on the First Friday Art Walk, offering cake and wine to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The gallery, at 129 W. Washington St., is marking the anniversary with an exhibit, SEQUIMAGES, a collection of work by member artists curated by veteran members Mary Franchini and Lynne Armstrong.
The gallery also will open the Shirley Foss Room, dedicated to a former member who had made a significant contribution, including funding for the scholarship for local high school students.
Cupcakes, cheese and wine will be served at the gallery starting at 5 p.m. Friday during the Art Walk. Visitors will be given tickets for door prizes provided by different artists.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a free, self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. the first Friday of every month.
Each month has a color theme. This month, the theme is white.
“White represents inclusive acceptance, optimistic opportunities, hope, open minds, pure and thoughtful actions, friendly impressions and blank canvases that are receptive to any positive vision,” said Renne Emiko Brock, organizer of the First Friday Art Walk.
Blue Whole is naming a special room for Foss, who died in 2012, because of her many contributions to the gallery, said Barbara Boerigter, a gallery founder and a close friend of Foss.
Foss was one of the original members of the Blue Whole cooperative when it opened in 1997, Boerigter said.
“She was a kind-hearted lady,” her friend said.
After living in Anchorage for more than 30 years, Foss and her husband retired to Sequim. The couple had no children, and after his death, “the gallery had benefited from her commitment,” Boerigter said.
Toward the end of her life, Foss wasn’t mobile enough to come to the gallery, “but she would call every morning to make sure someone was there at 10 a.m. when we opened,” her friend said.
Foss split her estate between the gallery and Sequim’s senior center, Boerigter said. The gallery has invested the amount, which she declined to disclose, and that has been the basis for scholarships.
Foss’ artwork will be in evidence at the gallery. One will be in the SEQUIMAGES exhibit and another elsewhere in the gallery, according to Boerigter.
The gallery grew rapidly after it opened.
“We took the keys on June 1 and opened on June 14,” Boerigter said.
“It was a lot of hard work for all the people involved.”
Members numbered 14 when the gallery opened. By the end of June, it had 40, according to Boerigter.
During its tenure, the gallery has displayed the work of 210 area artists, Boerigter said. A couple of years ago, it passed $1 million sales, 75 percent of which went to the artists with the rest reserved for operational expenses.
Surviving for 25 years “is extraordinary for a cooperative,” Boerigter said, adding that she feels its success is due to the way artwork is presented.
“It’s a very professional display,” she said.
Other special events on the Art Walk:
• Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., will host an open house celebrating its sixth anniversary with local artistry, edibles and gifts.
• Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave., will feature photographer Keith Ross with “A Glimpse Inside Keith’s Frame of Mind,” a collection of his best works, including the bald eaglets, puffins, owls and a wide variety of birds and wildlife. His work will be in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery.
His images and the story of the rescue of a pair of bald eaglets were published in Scholastic Magazine and distributed nationally to all the schools in the country.
He is also the creator and administrator of the Sequim Outdoors Facebook group.
Ross will be present from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and again from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with a 10-foot screen and laser projector airing a slideshow set to music.
• Pacific Mist — Books, Cards & Gifts, 122 W. Washington St., will host artist Diane Fatzinger and the Olympic Peninsula Authors.
Fatzinger, of SticksNStones, will introduce her “Wee Pebble Art” — one-of-a-kind original handmade “wee little artwork” created using pebbles, driftwood, twigs, ferns, shells and seaglass.
Linda Myers will represent the many authors of the Olympic Peninsula Authors group during the June First Friday Art Walk at Pacific Mist.
• City of Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., is the venue for the City Arts Advisory Commission’s event.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be the First Friday Music Jam in the City Council Chambers.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery, an exhibition of watercolor paintings with a reception by Peninsula Art Friends is planned.
At 6 p.m., the Sequim Ballet will perform “Peter and The Wolf” at the Civic Center plaza.
• Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., will host live music with Rainshadow String Band from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop, 120 W. Washington St., will offer farm fresh lavender creations, treats and vintage décor items.
• Sequim Spice and Tea, 139 W. Washington St., has heart-filled unique art including glass, pottery, illustration and photography of local artists, along with tea blends, fun teapots and cups and culinary gifts.
• Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St., will have live music with Dawn & Steve from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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.
For more information, see SequimArtWalk.com and facebook.com/sequimartwalk.
