MAY Art Fix: Upcoming Events

If you need your art fix for the month of May (and I know I do!), here are some shows that you won't want to miss! There are some fun and exciting holidays coming up this month as well: Cinco de Mayo (5th), No Socks Day (8th), Limerick Day and Mother's Day (12th), Dance Like a Chicken Day (14th), and International Museum Day (18th)! Go see some art to celebrate!

LAST CHANCE:

"Small Voids Hits the Road"

"Small Voids Hits the Road" highlights the work of 100 Seattle based artists through a series of one-night only outdoor events. The artwork is encased in a lit acrylic boxes which are temporarily installed on existing street signs. The show premiered in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighbourhood, and the next two Small Voids shows will be on Thursday, 2 May in the Pearl District in Portland, OR from 6-10pm and on Friday, 3 May in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA from 6-10pm.

The SAM is featuring "Characters of Kenwood House", masterpieces by Gainsborough, Hals, Rembrandt, Reynolds, Romney, Turner, Van Dyck, and more! The show runs through 19 May. The SAM also features a FREE 1st Thursday Art Walk night, so if you haven't had the chance, check out the show on your way to Pioneer Square on 2 May from 5-8pm!

The Henry Art Gallery is currently hosting two shows, both ending 5 May. "Now Here is Also Nowhere Part II," a series of works that pose questions about mind, body, and soul. Curated by Luis Croquer, the exhibit features work from over 35 artists including Christoph Keller, Lee Lozano, and Marcel Duchamp. "The Dowsing" features a series of textile objects by Anna Telcs. 

The Frye Art Museum is showcasing two different exhibits this month. "Chamber Music" is a 36-artist response to the poetry of James Joyce. Curated by Scott Lawrimore, it features the work of Bonnie Biggs, Greg Lundgren, Jaq Chartier, Joey Veltkamp, Julie Alexander, Robert Campbell, Serrah Russell, Sharon Arnold, and more! Show runs through 5 May. Also featured are over 50 paintings and drawings by Nicolai Fechin, a Russian-American expressionist painter prolific at the turn of the 20th Century. Show runs through 19 May. The Frye also hosts an art lecture series every Thursday night.

COMING UP: 

The 1st Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square, Thursday, 2 May from 5-8pm. Roq la Rue has a brand new space on 1st Ave, and their opening celebration will feature new work by Stacey Rozich! Also see new work at 4Culture, ArtXchange, Core Gallery, Delicatus, Gallery 110, Gallery IMA, Heart, Foster White Gallery, Inscape Arts, OK Gallery, Linda Hodges Gallery, Nord Alley,  Punch, Shift, Trabant Coffee, Zeitgeist Coffee, and more! Pioneer Square is the oldest art walk in the United States, and features over 50 galleries, studios, and other art spaces!

The 1st Friday Art Walk in Fremont, Friday, 3 May from 6-9pm. ArtFX Gallery is debuting the vivid paintings of Marta Konstacky! Bellefleur Lingerie is showing the romantic narrative paintings of Nikki Frumkin. Frame Up Studios is featuring the paintings of Roy Powell. Fremont Jewelry Design is showing the ethereal floral watercolours of Elena Balekha. Hub and Bespoke (one of the most unique bicycle shops in Seattle) has photography on brushed aluminum by Shelley Engels. Pel'Meni Dumpling Tzar is featuring the work of Thai artists Annsin Kousin. (Mention the phrase 'make art, not war', and they'll give you $1 a dumpling!) Saturn is featuring four artists this month: Amy McCaleb, Heidi Randall, Hilary McMullen, and Natasha Komoda; and Space has Anya Zaytseva, Lisa Noble, Joya Marsh and Scott Rude this month.

The 1st Friday Art Walk in Bainbridge Island, Friday, 3 May from 6-8pm. See new and exciting work at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts, Blackbird Bakery, the BPA, Danger, Fork & Spoon, Ginger, Harbour Public House, Island Gallery, Pegasus Coffee, PrettyStick, Roby King Gallery, and more!

The 1st Saturday Art Walk in Port Townsend, Saturday, 4 May from 5.30-8pm. Come see "Dreamscape: Stories from Earth and Beyond" by Kim Gordon at Red Raven Gallery. Take a walk down Water Street and check out new work at Earthenworks Gallery, Forest Gems Gallery, Gallery 9, Northwind Arts Alliance, Port Townsend Gallery, Simon Mace Gallery, Williams Gallery, and more! If you get hungry along the way, stop into Elevated Ice Cream, Nifty Fifty's Diner, Water Street Creperie, or Cellar Door (the delicious brainchild of local food fiends Dominic Svornich and Stephanie Hoch).

The 2nd Wednesday Art Walk in Wallingford, Wednesday, 8 May from 6-9pm. Check out new work at the Assistance League Thrift Shop, Blue Star Cafe, Cafe Appasionato, Chocolati, Cutz Meridian, Fuel Coffee, Kerf Gallery, Lucky 7 Salon, Seamonster Lounge, Seattle Mosaic Arts and more!

"Interlaced Colors" at the Ryan James Gallery in Bellevue, Thursday, 9 May from 6-10pm. Featuring the vibrant acrylic creations of Seattle based artist Aegea Barclay and live performances throughout the evening by Rush Davis!

The 2nd Thursday Art Walk in Capitol Hill, Thursday, 9 May from 5-9pm. Check out Cloud Gallery above Frame Central for their "1 Year Anniversary Show" featuring DJ Kobalt and art by Elizabeth B Sheets, Jameson Hubbard, Javier S Ortega, Owen Connell, and Thundercloud!  

Jesse Link @ Ghost Gallery

Ghost Gallery is featuring brand new work by Jesse Link! Don't miss new work at Apocalypse Tattoo, Blindfold Gallery, Boom Noodle, Cupcake Royale, High 5 Pie, Joe Bar, Laughing Buddha, Online Cafe, Retrofit Home, True Love Gallery, and more!
 

"Transmission" at the Mercury, Thursday, 9 May from 9.30pm til late. Featuring DJs NoDak and Kantrip, bellydance by Betty Fish, and the art of Celine Chapus from Purple Top Hat Art. You do not have to be a member for this night, and you do not need a member to sign you in. It is open to the public. No dress code. Free for members before 9.30pm, $5 for non-members. Starts at 9pm and goes til 2am. The performer will go on around 10.30 and again at 11.30, and the artist will be there all night. Come buy art, drinks, hear music and watch a sexy lady dance. "Transmission" happens the 2nd Thursday of every month.

Brook Shaden @ Twilight Artist Collective

The 2nd Thursday Art Walk in West Seattle, Thursday, 9 May from 6-9pm. The Twilight Artist Collective is featuring the photography of Brooke Shaden. "Brooke’s photography focuses on creating new worlds in which to lose yourself. This exhibit will feature images created in and around water. Brooke’s underwater photography is hauntingly beautiful. It captures both the fluidity and stillness of time." (from twilightart.net) Also check out new work at the The Heartland Cafe, Hotwire Coffee, Shoofly Pie, Windermere, and more!

"EXPO 13" at Cornish College of the Arts, Friday, 10 May from 5-9pm. EXPO 13 builds upon the annual BFA Exhibition, highlighting the depth and range of our students’ creative inquiry and expression at Cornish College of the Arts. The Art and Design shows serve as the keystone to an expanded schedule of events, including dialogue, performances, and artistic interventions. EXPO 13 celebrates the achievements of Cornish’s graduating seniors by acknowledging their contributions as professional artists and designers. Cornish is proud of their determination, hard word, and appetite for experimentation, as they turn their ambitions from school towards society. Come see a fascinating selection of work by Kassandra Davis, Rylee Stearnes, Syd Brown, Miles Toland and more! Congratulations to the class of 2013!

The 2nd Friday Art Walk in the Greenwood-Phinney neighbourhood, Friday, 10 May from 6-9pm. Bherd Studios presents "(Un/Re)Attached," a brand new series of collaborative work by studio co-founder John Osgood and mulitmedia artist Miguel Edwards. "This exhibition explores the natural—and sometimes unnatural—actions of breaking, healing, losing and gaining that we perform every day. Through sculpture, paintings, photography, video and site-specific installation they consider the ways we tear ourselves apart and build ourselves back up in the cycle of reinvention and experimentation. This is more than a two man show, but a true exploration of honest and inspired collaboration, as Osgood and Miguel batt pieces back and forth between one another, thoroughly blurring the lines of painting, photography and installations." (from bherdstudios.com)

Don't miss "Odd Birds" at Tasty, opening reception Friday, 10 May from 6-10pm! Featuring the art of Clarissa Callesen as well as work by Braden Duncan (me), Cynthia Freese, Julia Jarella Borgeson, Krista Jefferson, Lacey Braynt, Lisa Penz, Mary Syring, Michele Lynch, Michelle Anderst, Michele Waters, and Pam Man. There's also new and exciting work at Chocolatti, EchoEcho, Full Circle, Gainsbourg, Naked City Brewery, Two Bird Tattoo, Urban Light Studios, and more! 

Earnest Thomas @ Form/Space Atellier

The 2nd Friday Art Walk in Belltown, Friday, 10 May from 6-9pm. Form/Space Atelier is featuring "The Posters: Abstract Works in 3D" by Earnest Thomas. This is Thomas' first solo exhibit of artwork at Form/Space Atelier, which pulls from his deep expertise in creative expression using a considerable variety of materials and techniques. Also check out brand new work at Art/Not Terminal Gallery.

The 2nd Saturday Art Walk in Ballard, Saturday, 11 May from 6-9pm. Don't miss new work at Annie's Art &Frame, Art & Soul, The BalMar, Blowing Sands Glass Studio, Cupcake Royal, Filthy Rich, Habitude, Kiss Cafe, Monster Art & Clothing, Nightingale Gallery, Savour, the Sunset Tavern, Venue, and more!

The 2nd Saturday Art Walk in the Central District, Saturday, 11 May from 6-9pm. Check out new happenings at the Neptune Gallery Sculpture Garden, Atelier Autumnthing, Hi-Spot Cafe, Pratt Fine Art Centre, Twilight Exit and more!

The 2nd Saturday Art Attack in Georgetown, Saturday 11 May from 6-9pm. Matthew Hinshaw is taking over American Pie this month with "Divinations of a Graceless Heart," his inventive clockwork sculptures! Krab Jab Studios is featuring never before seen work by video game artist Samuel Araya. This show will feature illustrations for the upcoming book of poetry by Dani Filth (of the band Cradle of Filth). Also check out new work at Artcore Tattoo, Belle & Whissel, Fantagraphics Bookstore, Georgetown Arts & Cultural Centre, Nautilus Studios, The Roving Gallery, Smarty Pants, Totally Blown Glassworks, Two Tartes Cafe, Wax Expressions, and more!

"The City and the City," hosted by LxWxH Gallery, also part of the Georgetown Art Attack, is a curatorial collaboration between Sharon Arnold and Portland artist and writer Daniel J Glendening. Taking its title from the novel by China Miéville, the exhibition was born out of a desire to connect two cities that, though psychologically distant, occupy an intersecting geographical region. Often, only one city can be seen at a time, but with a shift in perspective both become visible. This exhibition features work by eleven Portland-based artists, some of whom will be making their Seattle debut. Working in varied and disparate mediums, the artists included in the exhibition represent a wide range of practices and modes of thought. Despite their material differences, various overlapping themes run through the work, including an interest in site or locale, trans-disciplinary dialogue, immateriality and anxiety.

Thomas Horner @ Otherworlds

The 3rd Thursday Art Walk in Edmonds, Thursday, 16 May from 5-8pm. Otherworlds is hosting an afternoon tea tasting and the work of Thomas Horner. In addition to the art walk, Otherworlds regularly hosts fun and exciting steampunk/gamer/geek/sci-fi/fantasy/gothic/horror-themed events! Cheesemongers is right next door if you find yourself in need of something delicious, and you can check out new work at ARTspot, Arts Now, C'est La Vie, The Papery, Red Petal Cakes, Stunningly Strange Gallery, and more than 30 other Edmonds art spaces!

Yvette Endrijautzki @ Gargoyles

The 3rd Friday Art Walk in the University District, Friday, 17 May from 6-9pm. Check out "Reanimated Remains: New Beauty in Old Things" at Gargoyles Statuary, featuring work by Yvette Endrijautzki and Dean Summers! Also see new work at BC Surf & Sport, Cafe Allegro, Cafe Solstice, Lucid Gallery, Starbucks, Trabant Coffee & Chai and more! Don't forget to stop by Boulevard Grocery for a bag of fresh-roasted coffee hand-painted by a local Seattle artist!

"Starving Artists on Parade" presents "TRASHED!" at the Noc Noc, Monday, 20 May from 9pm-midnight. Come see a variety of local artists and performers including the musical stylings of Brad Yaeger and the Night Terrors, burlesque by Scandal from Bohemia, the circus sideshow Wreckless Freeks, and more! $5 cover, 21+ event. "Starving Artist" events happen every 3rd Monday at the Noc Noc in Downtown Seattle.

"City Arts Spring Art Walk Awards" at 1927 Events, Wednesday, 22 May from 7-10pm. The Art Walk Awards has expanded to include three winners (first place $1,250, second place $500, third place $250) and the first place winner will be featured in City Arts magazine. Businesses and galleries that participate the Art Walk Consortium of neighborhood art walks are responsible for the nominations for these awards. All nominated artworks should have been shown sometime between January 2013 and late April 2013. City Arts staff chose 9 Finalists (Andy Miller, Cameron McPherson, Izzie Klingels, Jenny Riffle, Justin Colt Beckman, Paul E. McKee, Paul Kuniholm Pauper, Rodrigo Valenzuela, Tamara Stephas, and Zach Rockstad) from the nominations. All other nominations were considered to compete for the People's Choice Nominee - through an online vote and that winner was eligible to run for a cash prize along with the nine City Arts selected finalists.

RAW Seattle presents: "Expressions" at Aston Manor, Thursday, 23 May from 7pm-midnight.

Seattle socialite and heir to the Puget Sound's most notorious bootlegging family, Roy Aston developed his father's already profitable business into a veritable empire. RAW Seattle is excited to announce that Aston Manor will now be hosting our monthly shows! As the hottest speakeasy in town, RAW will be showcasing in a venue that is not like anything you've seen before.

 Aston Manor is the place where the liquor runs pure and the entertainment is decidedly not. Featuring brand new work by Yvette Endrijautzki and other local artists, fashion designers, hair & make-up artists, music, and a performance act! 21+ CASH BAR ONLY! $10 in advance, $20 at the door.

"The House of Ill Repute" at the Piranha Shop, Thursday, 23 May from 6-10pm. Featuring the art of 28 artists to bring full sensory arousal with sub-cultural non-traditional interpretation of erotica art. 

"Enacting the Flesh: MFA Thesis Exhibition" by Naomi Faith at the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery in Ellensburg, WA. If you find yourself in Central Washington, check this out. Naomi Faith is a Bainbridge Island native and her work has been featured in exhibits all over WA State including Roq la Rue Gallery and the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival. Through her unique jewellery she explores themes of abjection, transformation, death, and rebirth. The exhibit has been extended through 17 June!

With this much going on, you couldn't possibly complain that there's nothing to do in Seattle!

Support your local art scene! Cheers.

~ BCDuncan