SEQUIM — The Sequim Irrigation Festival’s “where water is wealth” has inspired the aqua color theme celebrating cultivation and culture during today’s Sequim Art Walk.
“The color aqua expresses responsible, sustainable elements of cool fresh water, abundant salty seas, renewing rain and sunny skies,” said Renne Emiko Brock, who organizes the monthly art walks in Sequim.
“Art and music inspired by our natural resources, creativity, positive partnerships and revolutionary ideas are included in the May First Friday Art Walk Sequim,” she said.
“From our inventive cultivating irrigation ditches that make our valley abundant to our future forward-thinking ideas are highlighted at the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair.”
Besides wearing the color theme of aqua, Brock encourages those taking in the art shows to dress up in whimsical outfits, including those that emphasize Sequim’s aeronautical emphasis, for the Irrigation Festival’s Crazy Days.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a free self-guided tour of art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is sponsored and produced by Brock.
To find out more and to print a map, see www.sequimartwalk.com.
Special events
The Irrigation Festival Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair launches the First Friday Art Walk Sequim Patron Preview at the Sequim Civic Center Plaza at 152 W. Cedar St.
This year will be the 27th for the Arts and Crafts Fair, which provides an opportunity for vendors to sell their handcrafted wares.
Music starts at 5 p.m. at the Civic Center with the Peninsula College Vocal Jazz Ensemble led by director Elaine Gardner-Morales with Al Harris on the piano.
Throughout the town, artwork created by local students for the 2017 Irrigation Festival Button Contest will be on display at several Sequim merchants.
Devoting his time to playing and singing classic songs from the “Great American Songbook,” Burke Garrett will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Olympic Theatre Arts Center, 414 N. Sequim Ave., in a free performance.
Venues
• The Olympic Lavender Co., 120 W. Washington St. will host artist Steve Bemis.
• The Museum and Arts Center, 175 W. Cedar St., features the “Sequim Irrigation Festival” exhibition.
• Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., features artists Carol Janda, a painter, potter and teacher; and photographer Ken Dvorak.
• The Bag Ladies of Sequim, 161 W. Washington St., will offer handmade items featuring unique combinations of felting, hand-dying, beading, embroidering and appliquéing. Several other artists’ works are for sale in their shop now facing Washington Street.
• Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., will feature painter Shirley Mercer, with music by The Red Shirts, who play an acoustic mix of tunes from the 1960s and ’70s.
To participate in the First Friday Art Walk Sequim, email renne@uniqueasyou.com or go to www.facebook.com/sequim artwalk.