SEQUIM — A new, blended singing group will sing Christmas songs and carols around downtown Sequim during the First Friday Art Walk.
Juan de Fuca Harmony was formerly the Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus. It recently became a mixed group and changed the chorus’s name to be welcoming to both women and men. The chorus will be one of the attractions of this Friday’s art walk, a monthly free, self-guided tour of venues in Sequim that spotlights activities at businesses from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each walk has a color theme. For December, the theme is gold “and all that glimmers brightly,” according to organizer Renne Emiko Brock.
“Gold is the color of our star Sol as we celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of the sun during December,” she said, while inviting art walk visitors to “dress in shades of gold or glittery interpretations of this festive time of year to celebrate happiness, harmony, and hope.”
The chorus that recently became Juan de Fuca Harmony has been gathering and singing around the Peninsula since 1983. The group is always looking for men and women who like to sing and is open to anyone with an interest in learning to sing a cappella four-part harmony regardless of age or prior singing experience.
Juan de Fuca Harmony rehearses from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings in the Sunland Golf Club Ballroom at 109 Hilltop Drive. For more information, see www.juandefuca harmony.org.
In addition to the choral group, other special events on Friday will be:
• Blue Whole Gallery at 129 W. Washington St. features “All I Want for Christmas is…” Members of the co-op gallery are filling the December windows with their wish-list artwork, from realistic to romantic with a touch of humor and joyous spirit.
Barbara (Barb) Boerigter, a founding member, is curating this end-of-the-year group show, assisted by veteran artists Janet Piccola and Mary Franchini. In addition, the annual Gift Gallery with a special holiday display is showcased in the main galley for December.
• Pacific Mist — Books, Cards & Gifts at 122 West Washington St. hosts Brock and other Sequim artists Diane Fatzinger and Jean Wyatt. Brock of “hue are you?” uses color to empower people. Her book, “action-packed superheroes: your guide to revealing and utilizing your superpowers,” offers a creative system to inspire people through color theory, transformative lessons, and confidence to articulate your passion to be your best self.
Along with her book, she will have colorful superhero scarves / capes and gifts.
Fatzinger of Sticks ‘n Stones will have her original handmade art created using pebbles, driftwood, twigs, ferns, shells and seaglass. Wyatt of J Wyatt Art loves color and has a whimsical style. In recent years she has become immersed in the making of books, journals and boxes.
• Sequim Museum & Arts at 544 N. Sequim Ave. hosts the Olympic Peninsula Art Association Members’ Art Show in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery. The annual Members’ Art Show and Sale runs December and January and demonstrates both the variety of media interests and the diversity in artistic talents of OPAA’s membership.
• Sequim Civic Center at 152 W. Cedar St. will host a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Reception at 5 p.m. The event, put on by the City of Sequim and the City Arts Advisory Commission, features a holiday tree decorated with ornaments created by local fourth-grade students. Included will be a reading of some of the messages the students have written about the theme, “What Brings Me Joy.”
• Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures at 121 W. Washington St. features a variety of work by local artists as well as tasty treats.
• Christmas Collections by Sofie’s at 123 E Washington St. is a venue new to the Sequim Art Walk. It is full of holiday décor and includes the Elk on a Shelf Game seen all over town.
• Rainshadow Café at 157 W. Cedar St. offers live music with Dawn & Steve from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Singing and dancing are encouraged.
• Sequim Spice and Tea at 139 W. Washington St. offers glass, pottery, illustration and photography by local artists, along with tea and tea accoutrements.
• Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop at 120 W. Washington St. has farm-fresh lavender creations, treats and vintage décor items.
• Wind Rose Cellars at 143 W. Washington St. offers crafted wines and appetizing tidbits.
• Soup in the Alley at 138 W. Washington St. features a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.
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 renneemiko@gmail.com.
For more information, see SequimArtWalk.com.
