SEQUIM — BirdFest BirdQuest is among the special events planned for the First Friday Art Walk.
The free game, sponsored by the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, will run from today until April 30. Generally, it supports the Olympic Bird Festival, but this year, the April festival based at the Dungeness River Audubon Center has been canceled, with the next fest set for April 13-16, 2023.
For more about the BirdFest, see www.OlympicBirdFest.org.
BirdFest BirdQuest brings together high school students, merchants and the community. Visitors to Sequim shops match the bird art pieces created by Sequim High School students to the businesses where they are hidden. They match at least 15 of the 20 bird-art pieces created by students on a game card and vote for their favorite student art pieces.
Game cards are available at, and can be returned to, each of the participating merchants and the Sequim Visitors Center, 1192 E. Washington St., by 4 p.m. April 30. Winners need not to be present for the prize drawings or People’s Choice awards.
For more about the game, call 360-683-6197 or email info@SequimChamber.com.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a free self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Each month has a color theme. The theme for April is pink.
“Spring flaunts hope and high spirits with the return of bright flowers and fluttering feathered friends as April’s First Friday Art Walk Sequim bursts with pink as the theme color that represents congenial care, productive promises, encouragement, sweet delight, supportive strength, and kind, comforting assurance,” said Art Walk organizer Renne Emiko Brock, in a news release.
Other special events on Friday will be:
• Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., hosts vocal jazz artist Wendy Cassandra from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Pacific Mist – Books, Cards & Gifts, 122 W. Washington St., hosts author Ruth Marcus and artist Carol Pearson.
A local poet and former Sequim Gazette columnist, Marcus weaves art and poetry in “Haiku & Mandala: The Wedding of Ancient Art,” a collection of hand-drawn mandalas and modern haiku. Autographed books will be available for First Friday shoppers.
Pearson is the owner/artist of Lizzie Betz Jewelry. She uses semi-precious gems and crystals in her jewelry, each piece one of a kind.
• High Schools of the Olympic Peninsula Creative Crafts & Art Exhibit, the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.
The City Arts Advisory Commission hosts an open house and awards ceremony for the winners of the show from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Award presentations will be at 5 p.m.
• Sequim Spice and Tea, 139 W. Washington St., has heart-filled 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.
• Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St., offers live music with Dawn and Steve from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both singing and dancing encouraged.
• Habitat Boutique Store, 213 E. Washington St., will present a local artist and live music by the OG from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The store raises money for Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County.
• Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., features the exhibition “Celebrating the Natural World” with artists Deborah Harrison, mixed media sculptor, and Susan Trisko, 2D artist in painting.
They will showcase original work in the front windows throughout April and will be in the gallery to meet visitors beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.
• Forage Gifts & Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., is showcasing artist Keith Ross with some images of Birds of the Pacific Northwest, in honor of April being Bird Month.
Ross, of Keith’s Frame of Mind based in Sequim, is widely known for his wildlife photography and for his event and portrait photography, as being the official photographer for the Sequim Irrigation Festival season. He also teaches photography and editing, and he has a full-service printing and framing business.
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 or http://www.facebook.com/sequimartwalk.
