SEQUIM — The First Friday Art Walk will celebrate with a pink-themed event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at various venues in downtown Sequim.
Maps for the self-guided tour are available at www.sequimartwalk.com.
Special events in April include:
• Birdfest returns. Participants can find and match the ceramic bird sculptures created by Sequim High School ceramics students to the business where they are hidden.
Game cards will be available at all participating locations, including the Sequim Visitor Information Center.
Match a minimum of 15 sculptures with their locations on the game card, then enter to win the grand prize basket, which includes treats for bird watchers, Sequim swag and a one-year membership to the Audubon Society.
BirdFest-BirdQuest locations include: Alderwood Bistro, 139 W. Alder St.,; Applebee’s Bar and Grill, 130 River Road; ACE Hardware, 232 Valley Center Place; Blue Whole Gallery, 128 W. Washington St.; Cedarbrook Lavender, 120 W. Washington St.; Dungeness River Nature Center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road; Donuts, Cakes & More Bakery, 171 W. Washington St.; Forage Gifts & NW Treasures, 121 W. Washington St.; Mountainside Mail, 1400 W. Washington St., Over the Fence, 118 E Washington St., Old Mill Cafe, 721 Carlsborg Road, Pacific Mist Books at 122 W. Washington St., Pacific Pantry, 229 S. Sequim Ave.; Sequim Spice & Tea, 139 W. Washington St; Sequim Habitat Boutique Store, 154 W. Washington St.; Sequim Chamber and Visitor Information Center, 1192 E. Washington St., Tedesco’s Italian Fresh, 210 W. Washington St.; Rainshadow Cafe, 157 W. Cedar St.; Wild Birds Unlimited, 275953 Highway 101 in Gardiner, and 7 Cedars Hotel, 270756 Highway 101 in Blyn.
• Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., will host a reception for featured artists Jeannine Chappell and Jolene Sanborn from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Chappell and Sanborn will exhibit their work in a show entitled “Styles” throughout the month of April.
Chappelll, who likes experimenting with different styles of painting, will showcase some of her abstract and semi-abstract pieces. Chappell uses a gel plate, a flexible monoprinting device, to create these pieces.
“I especially like the gel plate because of the spontaneity it provides: the paint is rolled onto the plate with a brayer, a sheet of paper is placed on top, and as that is pulled off, the result is always a surprise,” Chappell said.
Sanborn, a traditional watercolorist, painting in a representational style, often depicts experiences from her life.
“For me, watercolor is about lifetime learning,” Sanborn said. “I can have an idea and a direction for a painting ready to go, but then the weather changes, the humidity goes up or down, and the paint and paper decide they are in control of the day, not me!”
“Styles” will be on display at the gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, visit www.bluewhole gallery.com.
• The Karen Kuznek-Reese Gallery in the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., will open a Hanami display from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The display was created by volunteers from the Sequim Shiso Sister City Association.
The display celebrates the beauty of Hanami, the Japanese tradition of appreciating cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Visitors will learn more about Japanese culture, explore the significance of Sakura (cherry blossoms) and discover more about the connection between Sequim and its Sister City, Shiso, Japan.
The gallery also will host the sixth High Schools of the Olympic Peninsula Art Exhibit from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through April 18.
• Sequim Museum & Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave., will feature Dick Hancock in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery. Hancock is a professional wildlife photographer whose work has been published by outdoor and travel magazines and featured in calendars, brochures, books and book covers.
• The A. Milligan Art Studio and Gallery, 520 N. Sequim Ave., will present “The Pacific Northwest Impressions Exhibit.” The exhibit will feature the works of artists,Michelle Lindblom and Linda Tilley.
Lindblom creates acrylic paintings and monotypes, and Tilley creates representational pieces, primarily in oils and often paint en plein air.
• The River House Bakery and Cafe, 120 W. Bell St., will host a limited dinner menu from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with music by Sarah Shea. It will feature June Echternkamp’s oil on framed canvas paintings and stained glass.
• Olympic Peninsula YMCA, 610 N. Fifth Ave., will host an exhibit of paintings, photographs and 3-dimensional art created by YMCA members and staff, including Luke Kisena, Rebecca Murphy, Mike McCollum, Susan Drake and Roger Ulm.
• Pondicherri, 121 E. Washington St., will host Kathy Nichols demonstrating how to create a small-scale watercolor of a tree branch with blossoms, to encourage the arrival of spring.
Attendees may create their own. Supplies will be provided. RSVP to 360-681-0954 so enough supplies can be on hand.
• Pacific Pantry, 229 S. Sequim Ave., will be open until 7 p.m. showcasing water-based media artworks from Peninsula Art Friends.
• Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St., will offer an eclectic mix of new and vintage books, cards and gifts, including local authors and artists.
• La Petite Maison Blanche, 213 E. Washington St., will feature “By the Sea,” a hand-carved wood sculpture created by Larry and Linda Gonzales, as well as curated gifts and festive treats throughout the shop.
• Over the Fence, 118 E. Washington St., will showcase local makers.
• Rainshadow Cafe, 157 W. Cedar St., will host live music by Dawn and Steve from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• The Habitat Boutique Store, 213 E. Washington St., will have live music by Black Diamond Junction from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Sequim Spice and Tea, 139 W. Washington St., will have unique art, including glass, pottery, illustration and local artists’ photography. Participants also can find creative tea blends, colorful teapots and cups and culinary gifts.
• Soup in the Alley, 138 W. Washington St., will feature a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.
• The Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop, 120 W. Washington St., will have farm-fresh lavender creations, treats and vintage décor items.
• Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., will host live music and artworks by Peninsula Art Friends.
• Forage Gifts and Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St., will showcase Sarah Necco of Barnhouse Studio. Necco is a local artist and photographer whose work is inspired by the love for flowers, nature and landscapes.
For more information, including adding a venue or an artist to the list, call Renne Emiko Brock at 360-460-3023 or email renneemiko@gmail.com.
“Sentinel,” a watercolor by Jolene Sanborn, will be part of the “Styles” exhibit at Blue Whole Gallery throughout April.
