SEQUIM — The shade of Sequim’s famous lavender blooms will occupy the galleries, studios and museums along Sequim’s First Friday Art Walk today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“Sequimmers,” as organizer Renne Emiko Brock calls them, are invited to dress in variations of purple — violet, mauve, orchid, lilac, indigo, amethyst, plum — for the occasion. (If you really want to push the boundaries of art and fashion, lavender comes in hues of pink and white, too, she said).
“You will find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in tints and shades of purple as they enjoy a festive night on the town with friends and fellow Sequimmers preparing for Sequim Lavender Weekend later in the month,” Brock said in a press release.
Sequim Lavender Weekend will be July 21-23.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim provides a free self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim on the first Friday of every month.
The monthly art walk, which started in 2006, aims to “create approachable and accessible art and cultural venues that encourage the community to connect and celebrate expression and diversity,” she said.
Visit www.sequimart walk.com to download a map of participating venues.
Special events during the First Friday Art Walk include:
• Cedarbrook Lavender, 134½ W. Washington St., will feature artist Keith Barrick and his pine and cedar wood designs. Barrick’s art will be showcased in front of the building, available to purchase for indoor or outdoor home decor.
In addition, Cedarbrook Lavender plans to entice with samples of lavender lemonade, lavender chocolate mint iced tea and lavender white drop cookies.
• The Sequim Museum and Arts Center, 175 W. Cedar St, will welcome award-winning artist Priscilla Patterson with an exhibit of aviation- and transportation-inspired artwork.
“Jazzy Judy” Clark, a Sequim singer and teacher, will perform while visitors examine images of airplanes, cars, motorcycles and fire trucks.
• Lamb Farm Kitchen Shoppe, 272 W. Bell St, will present local author Victoria Redhed Miller for a book signing event.
Stationed behind the business’ oak table, Miller will bring her books, “Pure Poultry: Living Well with Heritage Chickens, Turkeys and Ducks” and “Craft Distilling: Making Liquor Legally at Home.”
• Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., will feature digital artist Marilynn Evans and sculptor Joyce Volmut.
What is “digital artistry?” is a question Evans fields often. She will upload photos to her computer and use software to manipluate the original image until she has reached the limits of imagination.
A selection of Evans’ books and prints will be available at the gallery during July.
Volmut will present her wood carvings, a craft she has honed more than 13 years.
“When I first started carving, my intention was to carve the saints, Saint Anthony, St. Francis, but I was quickly pointed toward the direction of the animals and birds, the expression in their faces, their posture, just trying to capture them in a moment in time,” Volmut said.
“They are truly the heavenly creatures with whom we share our lives.”
• The Bag Ladies of Sequim, 161 W. Washington St., will display local handcrafted works and artful up-cycled items.
• Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., will house decades of hit tunes during the art walk. “Just In Tyme,” an eclectic group of seven local musicians, will perform in the Gathering Hall at 5:30 p.m.
The band formed after Sequim’s Irrigation Festival.
Becky Kuhns, (vocalist) provides the soul and funk of the ‘70s and ‘80s; Jamie Kuhns (vocals and lead guitar) has played the backroads from Louisiana to Boston and back home to Washington; Mary Charles (vocals) brings the voice of gospel and jazz; Sandi Lockwood (synthesizer) has been named “Grupen Fuerher” and owns Piano Tyme Studio; Richard Crowell (lead guitar) lends his “can do” style stretching over multiple generations; Dee Coburn (drums) plays regularly with “Round Trip”; and Richard Grant (bassist) rounds out the group with R&B style.
For information about participating as a venue or artist at the next First Friday Art Walk Sequim, contact Brock at 360-460-3023 or renne@uniqueasyou.com.
