PORT ANGELES — Wintertide kicks off Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center (PAFAC).
PAFAC’s festival has two components: a Makers Market in the Esther Webster Gallery and a Light Art Experience in Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park, both at 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
From Saturday through Dec. 20, the intimate Esther Webster Gallery will house a Makers Market featuring handmade gifts created by local artists and artisans. Visitors will find original artwork, home décor items, jewelry, toys and leatherwork for sale with prices ranging from $5 to $500.
In addition to shopping in person, the market will offer online sales, with curbside pickup and shipping options available.
As a special invitation, members of the fine arts center can have early entry to the Makers Market on opening day from 9 a.m. to noon.
To help protect against COVID-19, masks are required for all visitors and only a small number of people are admitted into the gallery at a time.
Makers Market, pictured in 2019, will be available this year in person and online. (Submitted photo)
From Saturday through Feb. 28, Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park will feature the Light Art Experience with multiple light-based outdoor sculptures and installations that organizers promise will transform the park.
“These works of art will light up the longest nights of the year and create a magical nighttime experience for visitors of all ages,” said Jessica Elliott, executive director, in a press release.
The sculptures will be lighted from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The artwork was selected from an open call to artists nationwide.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the quality and variety of proposals that came in this year,” said Sarah Jane, gallery and program director. “It’s fun to see this event gaining so much momentum, even in the midst of the pandemic.”
Jane added that the center is installing about a dozen sculptures throughout the 5-acre sculpture park.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfy shoes, bring a flashlight or headlamp, and practice safe social distancing.
Wintertide is supported by the City of Port Angeles lodging tax, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Washington State Arts Commission.
For more information, see pafac.org.
