PORT TOWNSEND — Feel free to believe.
The opening reception for the Make.Believe exhibit — featuring James Adams, Diane Haddon and Steve Parmelee of Kitsap County — will be at Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 3.
The reception will be followed by an art talk at 1 p.m. Sept. 4.
The exhibit opens at 11:30 a.m. Thursday and runs through 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25.
Friends for many years, these artists have each developed unique ways of combining materials to create vivid and evocative works, according to a news release.
Adams, of Kingston, studied painting as an art student, but went on to explore many other media from cast paper to collage, according to the release.
His recent work uses venetian plaster and a thick mixture of limestone dust, combined with painting and collage to create multi-layered abstract images of great depth, according to the release.
Moving to the Northwest from Wisconsin in 2008, Adams said he has found his imagery evolving.
“Nature has crept into my brain,” he said.
While always entranced by abstract patterns, Adam’s current work evokes trees and landscapes as well as cities and the works of man, according to the release.
Haddon, of Suquamish, works her multi-media magic in a tiny cottage in the woods, according to the release.
She has studied fine art, basketry, jewelry and printmaking, but her current work evolves from her relationship to objects with a history.
Her works include assemblage of found objects as well as drawing and painting. Much of her imagery comes from vintage photographs and create a sense of personality, Haddon said.
“I love to transform common, well-loved, cast-off objects into something whimsical and thought provoking,” she said in the news release.
Parmelee, of Kingston, studied graphic design but said he found his passion in “old, loved things” and the stories they tell.
His assemblages reflect his interest in narrative, according to the release.
Themes evolve from his collection, he said, with pieces sometimes triggered by the objects themselves and sometimes from a significant word or phrase.
“Much of my found material comes from estate sales, where I often make acquaintances with the deceased who can only speak to me through the keepsakes in junk drawers and cellars,” Parmelee said in the news release.
“Estate sales can be a spiritual place, as well as a treasure trove of everyday relics.”
Exhibit hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, and from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
For more information, visit www.northwindarts.org or call 360-379-1086.
This piece by Diane Haddon, titled “High Roller,” will be featured in September as part of the Make.Believe exhibit at Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St. — Northwind Arts Center.
This piece by James Adams, titled “St. Remy,” will be featured in September as part of the Make.Believe exhibit at Northwind Arts Center, 701 Water St. — Northwind Arts Center.
