NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, March 4.
SEQUIM — Artists throughout Clallam County have painted 33 doors, each conveying their own interpretation of the theme of 25 in honor of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s 25 years in existence.
“Some of the paintings have pretty touching stories behind them,” said Colleen Robinson, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County community outreach director.
“It’s amazing how the theme of 25 was worked into each.”
A sneak peek of the doors painted by Sequim artists for the Artistic Door Project will be on display during the First Friday Art Walk from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.
The entire collection by artists in Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks will come together during a public reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 15, in the SunLand Golf & Country Club ballroom, 109 Hilltop Drive in Sequim.
The painted doors will be auctioned off in support of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County at the annual event A Taste of the Peninsula on Saturday, April 16.
Tickets to A Taste of the Peninsula, which will be at SunLand, are $100.
Robinson was inspired to organize the project after noticing a couple of painted doors on display while attending the Habitat for Humanity annual U.S. conference, she said.
The project invites individual or groups of local artists to paint a door — turning something ordinary into a unique, creative work of art.
To turn the Artistic Door Project into a reality, Robinson has worked with a committee since late last year, noting the project has been a true group effort by volunteer committee members and artists.
Doors were donated from the Habitat Store at 728 E. Front St. in Port Angeles.
“The whole process has been really fun and exciting,” Robinson said.
Sequim artists
Natalie Andrzejeski painted one of 12 doors done by Sequim artists. As a member of the Sequim Arts Advisory Commission, she was nominated by the commission to participate in the project.
Andrzejeski describes her painting “Pathway to Dreamland” as a way to convey the importance of art, music and dance in education and endless possibilities.
Artist Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond painted “Love Interlace,” which is about inclusion in a community, she said.
“Being part of a family or a neighborhood empowers people and improves us all as a whole when people belong and have a home,” she said.
Brock-Richmond reflects the inspiration of her door through a series of knotted roses.
Like Brock-Richmond’s and Andrzejeski’s paintings, behind each of the 33 doors, there’s a different meaning, Robinson said.
Taste of the Peninsula
The Artistic Door Project is one of the new components of A Taste of the Peninsula.
For the second year, Habitat officials will gather together under one roof a variety of restaurants and wineries to offer tastes of the area’s artisan cuisine and beverages.
The Straight Shots will perform throughout the fundraising evening.
Last year, the event raised $42,000. Robinson hopes to double that, she said. All proceeds support the affiliate’s effort to provide affordable housing.
27 houses
Since it began in 1991, 27 houses have been built through Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, including 10 in Sequim.
Cyndi Hueth, Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County executive director, has been with the local affiliate since 2014. She has been involved with Habitat for Humanity since the early 2000s in California.
Revitalization
In response to an identified local need, Hueth and her colleagues have spearheaded a neighborhood revitalization program to provide preservation, repair and weatherization assistance to low-income homeowners.
In Sequim, the focus neighborhood is between Sequim Avenue and Second Street.
“We’re looking for homeowners to come forward,” Hueth said.
Examples of projects range from fence repair to outside step or ramp repair to exterior painting.
Lex Morgan, a founder of the local Habitat affiliate, is now serving on the affiliate’s advisory council.
“At the first advisory council meeting, I asked if there were any homeowners that are still in their homes that I was a part of,” Morgan said.
“I learned there are still several and their mortgages are just about to be paid off.
“That’s pretty amazing for those families,” he said. “I felt a little continuity with that.”
For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s 25th anniversary celebration and A Taste of the Peninsula, visit www.habitatclallam.org or call 360-681-6780.
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Alana Linderoth is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
