Arts on the Plateau: Printmaking in Ravensdale, Christmas Music at Chalet, and Buckley Teen Takes Lead in Nutcracker Ballet

This first story reminded me of my life long ago. I once lived deep in the woods with my children on a little creek that flowed into our woods from Lake Retreat; it was located in Ravensdale, WA. I think now my spirit was always calling on me to rest in nature. Visual artists crave privacy and fewer distractions just as I did as a writer. And thus, my house in Florida is really no more than a cottage in the topical wilderness near the shore of another lake called Okeechobee.  But it is up for sale and I am transplanted to civilization, to Enumclaw and it feels fine. So, let me now introduce you Eunice Kim, an artist who shows her work worldwide but works in the stillness of nature in the foothills of our magical forests …..

Ravensdale is home of world renown artist Eunice Kim.

Eunice Kim is a printmaker who tours with her work around the globe.  Recently returning from a prestigious show in Poland, she retreats to what we all know embraces us here in the foothills of the Cascades, the arms of Mother Nature. It is a good place for an artist to live. Kim, along with 17 other American artists, represented United States in the International Print Triennial - Krakow 2012 held at the Contemporary Art Gallery Bunkier Sztuki in Krakow, Poland was on view from September 15 through October 31.

The exhibition, celebrating its 20th anniversary jubilee edition, is widely regarded as one of the most prominent and influential events in contemporary world printmaking. The 231 artists showcased in this prestigious gathering of printmaking's best from around the globe were selected by an international jury team through a two-stage qualification procedure. Having completed their run in Poland, Kim's works on paper will be moving on to Vienna, Austria for showing with Krakow Triennial's partner organization, International Print Triennial - Vienna, to be on view from April 10 through June 12, 2013 at the Künstlerhaus Wien in Vienna, Austria.  In this showing, Eunice Kim, along with artist Endi Poskovic, will be the only two Americans showcased. ss from thousands of submissions. The artist, who is recipient of 2012 Individual Artist Projects Grant from 4Culture, cultural services agency for King County, Washington, is working towards her third solo exhibition in Seattle, which will open in October 2013 at Davidson Galleries in downtown's Pioneer Square.

Kim, whose work has been shown extensively throughout the United States and abroad, says her artworks have a far more exciting life than she does.  "They have a fabulous time traveling the world, while most of my time is spent in the studio!"  For more information about Eunice Kim and her work visit: http://www.eunicekim.net

Members of Cascade Foothills Chorale bring us Christmas music

I haven’t been to one of the Cascade Foothills Chorale concerts yet but looking forward to my first concert on Dec. 8 and 9 at the Chalet where I will be a volunteer usher. I have heard Bonnie Azzelino sing impromptu and she will be a soloist in the concert.  She has the voice of an angel. The other two soloists are Wynona Hasbrook and Earl Barker.  What is so astounding to me is the number of rehearsals CFC has prior to a concert. The choir rehearses 2-1/2 hours each week starting months in advance. “Most choir members also spend another hour or more at home weekly learning their music,” says Azzelino.  For more info about the concert check out the PATCH Events page for December 8 & 9.

Great Poetry recited at local poetry readings 

There are some terrific poets on the Plateau and if they are not reading at Plateau Area Writer’s Association meetings or at The Sequel Expresso and Bar in Enumclaw, you can be sure there’s always some public readings going on some where.  I am also eager to read in public venues myself being a novice poet who needs the practice. Lately I have attended the poetry readings at The Sequel where I discovered a woman I think is an outstanding poet. It is Jana Nielson, a self-published poet and freelance writer, whose website and bio gives us a peek into this woman’s artistry.  I loved this poem by Jana:

On the Wings of Greatness

We soar on the wings of greatness,

Leaving behind the shackles of insecurities,

Knowing that they can only hold us back

From what we can become.

Life brings on new energy

And we feel the essence of what we were made to do,

Something from our life that no other can create.

We fill a void in the universe,

Something as yet unseen,

But entirely essential.

Life turns around each other

And in our turning we define life.

If we are willing to fly, we design greatness,

Then soar on its wings

Encouraging others yet to fly!

 
Jana Nielsen has been writing inspirational poetry since she was a young child.   She was raised in Eugene Oregon, spending many long hours of her childhood walking nature trails with notebook and pen, writing poetry. She raised two girls in Renton, and has settled now in Enumclaw to be close to her mom and sister. She loves Enumclaw with its misty foothills and majestic mountain.  Most of her poetry talks to the spiritual soul, others to everyone.  Unique in its ability to connect with readers, her poetry uplifts and inspires those who read it. She has written a book of Poetry, “Glimpses of Light”, and two guided journals: “Creating Your Own Environment” and “Creating Yourself”.  All three of these books are available through Amazon.com or through Jana herself whitecloud.graphics@gmail.com.

If you want to get known as an artist, this is one of the things you do, like it or not

It is either an act of bravery and confidence. Or, it’s an act of stupidity and vulnerability depending on your perspective. To plunk down some dollars and try to get chosen over 1,000 other artists out there all competing for the same prize: acceptance in a juried show.  I would be interested in comments from visual artists what they think of entering juried shows, the fees and expense, and if you have had good or bad experiences entering them. But I would be amiss if I did not alert artists to this valuable opportunity by a credible organization:

Gallery4Culture seeks proposals for exhibitions beginning September 2013 and running through August 2014. 4Culture offers approximately 1,000 sq. ft. of street level exhibition space in the Tashiro Building located on the corner of Prefontaine Place and Third Avenue in Pioneer Square, Seattle. Deadline: Monday, January 7, 2013 by 5:00 pm

Who Can Apply  Eligibility is limited to studio artists, artist teams, and independent curators who reside in King County, WA and are not represented by a commercial gallery at the time of application. (Artist run collectives and cooperatives are not considered commercial galleries and members are eligible to apply). Artists working in all media and genres are encouraged to apply. Previous applicants are encouraged to reapply; artists awarded a show in the past are ineligible to reapply for a period of 4 years.

When to Apply The annual Call to Artists is currently available; the deadline is Monday, January 7, 2013. This is an online application; for more information visit the Galleries information page.

Selection Process  A Selection Panel composed of regional arts professionals reviews applications and awards eleven exhibition opportunities. The panel composition changes yearly. The panel takes into consideration a variety of media and approaches as well as cultural and geographic diversity. Final selection is based on artistic merit and the strength of the proposal. Images and the proposal statement should convey an applicant’s ability to execute the proposed exhibition. Artists will be notified of the Selection Panel’s results in February.

About the Gallery Founded back in 1979, the gallery was housed in the Alaska Building in downtown Seattle in the office of the King County Arts Commission. From 1987 to 2005, it was located in the historic Smith Tower with King County’s Office of Cultural Resources. Gallery4Culture received its current name in 2005 when 4Culture (the Cultural Development Authority of King County) moved its offices to the Tashiro Building in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square gallery district. Gallery4Culture continues a three decade long tradition of offering King County studio artists (including early career artists) the opportunity to apply for solo or small group exhibitions in a professional gallery setting. The gallery is recognized for exhibits of innovative work and art forms under-represented in commercial galleries. The annual Call to Artists comes out in late November with an early January deadline. Applications are reviewed by an outside selection panel of arts professionals; the application process is online. The gallery is free and open to the public from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. It is closed weekends and government holidays. Exhibits open on First Thursday and run through the month. Questions? Please contact: esther.luttikhuizen@4culture.org 206 296.8674

 I got the invitation in my INBOX! 

“You are invited to attend the Arts Alive Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 8th!” it says in my email from gallery manager, Krista Little. Actually we, the public, are all invited.  So, I am going to try to convince you why you should go. This is my flat out personal opinion, and conviction. The main reason I want you to go is that this is the primary place with the most potential to make changes in the arts environment. Like many arts organizations the Arts Alive! Center for the Arts is managed by volunteers. But too few people lend a helping hand. If you go to the Open House, maybe you can sign up as member, support the mission, and even get involved. I am not a painter, a sculptor, or a jewelry maker. I am a writer. And yet, I am a member. It’s because the reality of such a small town having a center for the arts says to me that’s special. Here we have a valuable resource and, the “Center for the Arts” can be a “hub” for  artists of all genres to be part of something that has so much potential for the greater good. So please come and meet the volunteers and the Board members and get to know them. Have a conversation. For more info about the open house check out the PATCH Events page for December 8.

Lead Dancer in Nutcracker Ballet has years of work behind her

Dancing and acting the lead role of Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet is a tough role for any dancer. This year 14 year old Ellie Morem of Buckley will be dancing the lead role in The Ballet Workshop, Inc. production taking place this coming weekend and the next, eight performances in all. Her dance instructor, Syble Bracken, says Ellie is ready.  Morem, a White River High School freshman, is dedicated to a career in ballet. She spends about 6 hours a week in classes, a big commitment. “She has been dancing at The Ballet Workshop since she was 6 years old and currently studies ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. Ellie aspires to teach and choreograph at her own studio someday.” For more info go to the Ballet Workshop for date, times and tickets at www.theballetworkshop.com.