SEQUIM — It’s a merging of pleasures, and it will last longer than in past years.
Art in the Park is a simple name for a complex happening: five days of art surrounded by nature at Railroad Bridge Park, the refuge at 2151 W. Hendrickson Road just northwest of Sequim.
The event, which opens tonight with live music by Cort and Kia Armstrong, wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts at the park’s Dungeness River Audubon Center, will bring together a flock of creative people, along with children’s activities and art demonstrations for four days starting Saturday.
SDLqArt in the Park merges our passion for art and for the Dungeness River Valley,” said Kia Armstrong, who is a manager at the Dungeness-nourished Nash’s Organic Produce farm.
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday, local artists will display their work in the River Center’s multimedia show, and Saturday and Sunday, many will demonstrate arts and crafts techniques on the center’s patio.
Browse art, vendors
At the show, visitors will have the chance to browse among driftwood art by the award-winning sculptor Tuttie Peetz, for one, and watch her demonstrate.
They will see works by potter Carol Janda, photographer Ross Hamilton and watercolorist Amy Weber, who will also be among those demonstrating both Saturday and Sunday.
Free nature-photography walks are also part of Art in the Park at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Professional photographer Don Wallace is the guide.
“I’m kind of modeling these after the Wednesday morning bird walks,” he said, referring to the outings that start from the River Center at 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday year-round.
“They will be low-key; not very technical,” Wallace added, “and for all levels.”
Another kind of walk is set for Saturday at twilight.
River Center Director Bob Boekelheide will take visitors for a “bat talk and walk” at 8 p.m., starting from the River Center amphitheater. Participants are asked to make a $5 donation to the River Center.
“We go up on the [Railroad] Bridge and talk about bat biology. They’re fascinating creatures,” Boekelheide said.
“Sometimes, we see them in the parking lot, but [the bridge] over the river is the hot spot.”
Art in the Park, with its diversity of things to do, is the result of abundant volunteer work, donations and art-making, Boekelheide added.
“We live in such a beautiful part of the world, and it’s inspired a lot of artists’ work” to be shown at the River Center.
“The theme that runs through nearly all of it is a connection with nature.”
The Armstrongs, in keeping with that idea, donated part of Thursday night’s performance fee to the River Center.
“We know it ‘takes a village’ to keep gems like the park going, and we hope that our support will set an example for people to get involved,” Kia said.
To find out more about the River Center, Railroad Bridge Park and the days of Art in the Park, phone 360-681-3076 or visit www.DungenessRiverCenter.org.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
