Every time I go to see a new exhibit at the Cascadia Art Museum I’m impressed. I find myself saying — Wow! That was amazing!
I always wonder how they’re going to top that last show. Yet, each time I feel like they do. I’m not sure how that’s possible. Somehow, with Northwest Design at Midcentury, which is running now through March 25, they’ve done it again.
In the hours before a Cascadia Art Museum opening, there are typically a few loose ends to tie up. Operations director Nate Hegerberg is in the thick of it. “I’m generally completely swamped right up until the doors open –- editing, generating and mounting labels, and fine-tuning the light design. But this show is going to be great. It’s unlike anything we’ve done before. This has been the biggest installation thus far, but it was actually easier than our last show. We had a subcontractor manufacture our platforms and it all came together really well.”
At 6 p.m., a crowd of about 75 files into the museum exhibition area and begins to fan out. Some linger around hors d’oeuvres and wine. Many members will return another time to really view the art; there are just too many familiar faces to concentrate. There’s even a no-host bar that Cascadia’s neighbor, Scratch Distillery, has provided. Northwest hooch seems to pair very nicely with Northwest art. The atmosphere is celebratory.
RSVPs number in the range of 400. By 6:30, at least 200 are mixing and viewing art. There’s talk of breaking the opening into a two-night event, just to relieve the congestion a little. Everyone seems to be taking it in stride.
Patrons gravitate toward the Glen Alps sculptures and marvel at the Ruth Pennington jewelry. There is an incredible array of fine art, furniture, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and fabric art of the era.
There are some other familiar artists from previous shows — Kenneth Callahan, Danny Pierce and Ebba Rapp come to mind.
Registrar Cameron Overturf along with a small army of volunteers have the unenviable job of protecting the art. As he is explaining that a big part of his job is arranging the loan of pieces used in each exhibit; handling the pickups and ensuring the safe return of cherished works, he excuses himself to head off someone wandering into one of the halls with a glass of wine.
Mid-century design is red hot, as any realtor, furniture salesman, gallery owner or jeweler can tell you.
It’s interesting to hear what Cascadia founder Lindsey Echelbarger has to say about it. “ A lot of people don’t realize that at this time, the Northwest was a leader in design — in ceramics, in furniture, in fine art, in sculpture and jewelry. From about 1948 to 1966, our area was taking off — both literally and figuratively. Boeing was producing airplanes, and the economy was experiencing a post-war boom.
“Ceramic artists like Sperry and Weisel were famous throughout the world. Alps and Tsutakawa were well known and highly influential in sculpture and fine art. Pennington’s jewelry is highly collectible and the pieces we have on display are eye-opening. George Nakashima was one of the top three or four furniture designers of the time, he started on Bainbridge Island. You can see today the strong Scandinavian and Japanese influences which are so much a part of the early heritage of the Pacific Northwest.”
Cascadia outshines itself once again. I can’t figure out how they do it
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Thursday, Jan 18
5-8 p.m.
Art Walk Featured Artist – Franky Castle
Hunni Co
186 Sunset Ave
Swing by Hunni Co (next to Cascadia Art Museum) for a vibrant night of color and culture with featured Orange County artist Franky Castle. Castle uses a variety of vivid colors to experiment with different color harmonies and mixed media. He’ll be doing a live painting performance at Hunni Co for Art Walk.
See more at www.frankycastle.com/
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Thursday, Jan 18
5-8 p.m.
Doug Lofstrom Portraits
Cafe Louvre
210 5th Ave
Drop by and see Doug Lofstrom this Thursday as he displays his energetic and whimsical portraits. Lofstrom is extraordinarily productive and his work has been lauded for its vivid color. Other comments include “Doug’s paintings make me feel happy!“ and “He has a fun and fanciful style!”
Inquire about his valentine portrait special. Order a original Lofstrom portrait for you, your sweetie, both!
Learn more at dougloft.com/gallery/
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Thursday, Jan 18
5-8 p.m.
Painting with Encaustic
ARTspot
408 Main St.
Join Artspot owner and artist Tracy Felix for a demonstration of the use of Encaustic – painting with hot, melted wax. Encaustic has become an increasingly popular medium, especially given its versatility and ability to enhance mixed media. Go see what Tracy’s cooking up at Edmonds’ own, independent art supply store.
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Thursday, Jan. 18
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Music at the Library Series
Live Music in the Community –
Promotion, Production, Performance
Edmonds Plaza Room
650 Main St (above the Edmonds library)
Get a glimpse of what goes into promoting and producing local musicians as Pilgrim Media Services and Puget Sound Productions performing and enlighten the audience about all aspects of the recording process.
Admission is free.
Sponsored by The Edmonds Art Commission, Edmonds library, and Friends of the Edmonds Library
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Thursday, Jan. 18
7 p.m.
Phoenix Theatre
Drop in on a rehearsal!
9673 Firdale Ave. (Firdale Village)
Edmonds
Ever wonder what the rehearsals at the Phoenix Theater are really like? Do the actors throw temper tantrums? This Thursday you can be a fly on the wall. Not only that, but snacks, wine, and Q&A will also be on tap. Drop in and see the Phoenix put together their latest production Better Than Bowling written by hilarious playwright Steven Dietz, and directed by Phoenix veteran Eric Lewis. Bowling opens Friday, Feb. 2.
More at www.tptedmonds.org/2017–2018-season.html.
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Saturday, Jan 20
6 p.m.
Music at the Museum
Classical String Quartet
Cascadia Art Museum
190 Sunset Ave
Edmonds
This month’s music at the museum series will feature the music of Mozart, Haydn, and Bach. Enjoy music brought to us by some of Cascade Symphony’s finest. This quartet is composed of Amy Crenshaw & Luis Akantara-Nenniger (violin), Veronica Ho (viola), & Norma Dermond (cello).
For tickets: www.cascadiaartmuseum.org
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Friday, Jan. 19 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 20 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 21 2 p.m.
Edmonds Heights Advanced Musical Theater (high school) presents:
Working: A Musical
Edmonds Heights
23200 100th Ave. W
Edmonds
I’ve heard terrific reports of this program located at the old Edmond-Woodway High School in Southwest Edmonds. Having read Working, I’ve admired Terkel for many years. I’m intrigued by this:
Based on Studs Terkel‘s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working – A Musical paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted: the teacher, the parking lot attendant, the waitress, the millworker, the mason, the trucker, the firman and the housewife, just to name a few – it’s a highly original look at the American landscape that is simply impossible to forget.
For more information and ticket here.:
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Closes Wednesday, Feb. 7 – 5 p.m.
Gallery North
401 Main St. – Edmonds
It’s time once again for Gallery North’s call to artists for their popular small works show. Last year, 75 artists submitted 200 pieces. Online registration for this exhibit closes on February 7. Juried by Seattle artist Barbara Noonan, this show will run throughout the month of March.
For details please visit www.gallerynorthedmonds.com
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Edmonds Diversity Film Series presents:
A Stray
The Edmonds Theatre
415 Main St
Trying to out run his bad luck, a young Somali refugee in Minneapolis seems like he just might make it, until he crosses paths with a stray dog.
This film is part of the Edmonds Diversity Commission’s third Saturday series which brings poignant, insightful and topical films on themes related to diversity, inclusion and equity.
Sponsored by Rick Steves’ Europe, Edmonds Center for the Arts, and The Edmonds Theater.
Admission is free
Official trailer here.
For more information:
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Saturday, Jan. 20
6 p.m.- doors open
2018 Annual Burns Night Dinner
Presented by Kenmore and District Pipe Band
The Nile Country Club
Mountlake Terrace
It’s dinner and a show, Scottish style. The great Scottish poet Robert Burns is remembered each year on the anniversary of his birth – well, in this case, on the 20th instead of the 25th. If you’ve never been to a Bobby Burn’s night and experienced the parade of the haggis, bagpiping and highland dancing – you should give it a whirl. Tickets must be purchased in advance at
www.kdpipeband.com
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Wednesday, Jan 24
7:30 p.m.
International Guitar Night
Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4th Ave. N
In its 18th year touring, International Guitar Night brings together four of the world’s finest guitarists for a special evening of solos, duets and quartets. Featuring host and guitarist Lulo Reinhardt, and guitarists Michael Chapdelaine, Marek Pasieczny Calum Graham.
Tickets at www.edmondscenterforthearts.org
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Thursday, Jan. 25
7:30 p.m.
Rosanne Cash Trio
Edmonds Center for the Arts
410 4th Ave. N.
Rosanne Cash is so much more than a country western singer songwriter. Her music is a blend of country, folk, pop, and blues – some refer to this style as “Americana.”
Call it what you want – her music is beautiful. Cash put her first album out way back in 1978. She won the first of several Grammys in 1985.
She’s recently released a new album – “The River A The Thread” and is currently on tour with husband John Leventhal. This will be a great show.
Tickets at www.edmondscenterforthearts.org
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Meadowdale Arts & Music Booster Organization (MAMBO) Presents
Hawaiian Escape – Auction and Variety Show
Holy Rosary Parrish
630 7th Ave. N.
Edmonds
A luau-inspired dinner with entertainment provided by Meadowdale‘s choir, jazz band, orchestra, The Meadowdale Players and The Improv Team. Student fine art and photography will also be on display.
This, the fourth annual MAMBO auction and dinner, will benefit the arts and music general fund, which helps provide for such things as: repairing and purchasing equipment; paying for students competitions and workshop fees; buying scripts and production right; and providing student financial aid.
Tickets here.
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When not actively scheming about ways to promote the arts in Edmonds, James Spangler can be found (highly caffeinated) behind the counter of his bookstore on 4th Avenue.
James, you are doing an exceptional job with the Artfully Edmonds column. Thanks especially with your report on the Cascadia Art Museum’s newest exhibition. We were unable to attend the opening reception for the first time since the museum opened. Remain high caffeinated and carry on.
-Jack and Susan Harrington, Hansville
Thank you for your kind words Jack. It really is a fantastic exhibit. I hope everyone takes the time to go see it!
James Spangler