PORT TOWNSEND — Tucked between the hot dog stand patio and the historic Fred Lewis Building, Mike Biskup is a one-man art fair.
Inside and outside an elevator cage — once used by the Elevated Ice Cream shop — he paints, vends and converses with passers-by, clearly in his element.
“Captain Zucchini.” “Fort Wonder’s Magic Mountain.” “Grandmother’s Dream,” “Hand Stand,” “The Green Way” and “Pamplona”: these are a few of the titles of his works for sale. The elevator and adjacent canopy are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and, this holiday weekend, on Monday too.
Artist Mike Biskup takes in the sun on Water Street in Port Townsend, where he sells his art from an antique elevator cage. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
The prints, cards and paintings are sometimes abstract, sometimes black and white, sometimes a pulsing jumble of colors. Biskup’s style draws a variety of responses.
“Where’s Waldo?” some people quip, referring to the crazy-busy children’s puzzle books.
Another guy called Biskup’s work “like Pop Escher,” reminding him of the renowned Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher.
As a longtime Port Townsend resident, Biskup is all about this place. His three children were raised here. As a teacher and mentor, he helped launch the Port Townsend School of the Arts, now Northwind Art. And while his work has appeared in galleries and art fairs around the country, Water Street is his spot this summer.
“Everything and everyone connected” is a motto for Biskup, 51, who credits the Buddhist monk and writer Thich Nhat Hanh as an early inspiration.
“The concept of interbeing, that things inter-are: That’s what all my work is about,” he said.
There’s another thing it’s about: Lifting hearts. More than a few passers-by have told him his art makes them smile.
So Biskup wants more: more artists and art in the open air, especially downtown. A few years ago he had what he called his “art cart,” which he wheeled around.
What if we had lots of those, he wonders.
“We’re an artists’ community. When people come here they should be able to see artists working and selling stuff on the street all over the place. Why not?
“Art fairs are closed again probably this summer,” Biskup added. And with the artists who live here, a de facto festival is within reach, any weekend, outdoors.
“Populate the street with live art,” he said.
Bonnie Romani of Ocean Shores admires Mike Biskup’s outdoor art gallery in downtown Port Townsend. Biskup and his work appear each weekend at the foot of Water Street. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News )
“And by the way, it’s perfect for our arts economy.”
For his spot on Water near the Madison Street corner, Biskup obtained a temporary use permit from the city along with a rental agreement from the property owner.
He hopes to continue renting the small space for the next several years, and get other local artists to join him. Those who are interested can contact him via his website, mikebiskup.com and at 360-390-5060.
“We do issue temporary use permits, to do what he’s doing on private property,” said Lance Bailey, the city’s Development Services Director.
Bailey added that Dogs-A-Foot, the hot dog stand beside Biskup, also uses a temporary permit each year; the stand packs up and drives away come winter.
The permit fee is $137.25 for a maximum of 240 days; renewal costs $93.25. A city business license is required too, Bailey noted. The Development Services department and permit counter can be reached at 360-379-5095 while information is also found at cityofPT.us under Departments.
Biskup, meanwhile, envisions more canopies, perhaps a covered walkway between them — and a community of art makers, art lovers, downtown shoppers, locals, visitors, all connected.
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladaily news.com.
