SEQUIM — The aqua-themed First Friday Art Walk will celebrate the 129th Irrigation Festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Maps for the free, self-guided tour of local arts venues can be downloaded from www.sequimartwalk.com.
Art Walk attendees are encouraged to express the monthly color theme any way they wish to.
Highlights of this month’s art walk include:
• La Petite Maison Blanche, 213 E. Washington St., will celebrate its first anniversary with New Zealand-style ice cream from Welly’s of Port Angeles. The shop offers curated gifts and treats.
• Barb Falk will exhibit “The Art of Tranquility” in the Judith McInnes Tozzer Art Gallery at Sequim Museum and Arts, 544 N. Sequim Ave.
Falk creates mixed media paintings that balance warm tones against cool tones to form an impression of calmness, peacefulness and joy. Her techniques highlight the contour, color, flexibility and best features each medium has to offer.
• “Small Treasures,” the works of the Peninsula Fiber Artists, is on display in the main gallery at the A. Milligan Art Studio and Gallery, 520 N. Sequim Ave.
The exhibit features 44 pieces of wearable art, hand-felted objects, art quilts and small sculptures by artists from 15 members of the group.
Participating artists are Lora Armstrong, Linda Carlson, Liisa Fagerlund and Marla Varner from Sequim; Evette Allerdings and Barbara Houshmand from Port Angeles; Larkin Van Horn from Port Hadlock; Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry, Pat Herkal, Kindy Kemp, Cynthia LeRouge, Debra E. Olson, Susan Sawatzky and Cathie Wier from Port Townsend; and Lori Goddard from Port Ludlow.
Visitors at the gallery can meet with the artists and discuss their pieces and also look in on Anne Milligan’s works in progress in the Pastel Studio and see her finished pieces on display in the Digital Studio.
• Forage Gifts and Northwest Treasures, 121 W. Washington St. will feature “An Evening with Gianna Andrews.”
Andrews’ paintings are inspired by her love for the natural world. When she isn’t in her studio painting, she is out exploring nature.
“Though my love of nature has been there since day one, I didn’t find art until I sustained a mountain biking accident resulting in a broken back. Confined to a hard plastic back brace for months, I spent my recovery at the easel, painting my favorite nature scenes instead of exploring them,” Andrews said. “Since then, painting has not only evolved into my biggest passion, but a thriving art career.”
• “Blossoming Futures: A Garden of Possibilities” featuring the work of Molly White is on display at Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St.
White paints in pastels, acrylics and oil.
The gallery will donate a portion of the proceeds on the sale of selected works to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula throughout May.
“As a retired teacher of young children, I love sharing the windows with The Boys & Girls Clubs,” White said. “Children are our future and I love and have always loved helping them grow into thoughtful, kind, problem-solving adults. Art was always a big part of my instruction as well.”
• Mary Oquendo, the author of “A Spirited Life,” will sign copies of her book at Pacific Mist Books, 122 W. Washington St.
Oquendo is an education coach at Pawsitive Educational Training. Her book chronicles the life of her husky, Spirit.
• Over the Fence, 118 E. Washington St., will host one of its local makers.
• Mahina Hawley’s photographic art is on display at Pacific Pantry, 229 S. Sequim Ave., until 7 p.m.
• Wild Goddess Brews-n-Bites, 145 E. Washington St., Suite D, has live music, small bites, salads, dips and boards.
• Reckless Dove will perform from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Habitat for Humanity’s Boutique Store, 213 E. Washington St.
• Dawn and Steve will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St. Visitors can sing along, enjoy the full menu and drinks or dance.
• Soup in the Alley, 138 W. Washington St., features a rotation of local artists, live music and treats.
• The River House Bakery and Cafe, 120 W. Bell St., hosts local artists with food and bakery items.
Venues or artists who want to be listed on the First Friday Art Walk map should call Renne Emiko Brock at 360-460-3023 or email renneemiko@gmail.com.
