SEQUIM — Paintings and other artworks were flowing in Thursday for the third annual Art in the Park multimedia art exhibit that opens today at — and raises money for — the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park.
The exhibit, which runs through Tuesday, displays the works of 23 area artists at the center, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
“We just asked people to interpret the Dungeness area. That’s our theme,” said event co-chairwoman Shirley Anderson, who three years ago came up with the idea for a summer festival of art.
The event is sponsored by the River Center and the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society.
Anderson, along with Sequim-area artist Tuttie Peetz, the other event co-chairwoman, were joined by event committee members Randy and Sallie Radock, who were accepting artists’ work Thursday at the center by the river, where they were being hanged for exhibit.
“So many artists are inspired by nature,” Peetz said of the riverside venue. “It’s just the perfect place for it.”
Anderson said the event raised about $1,000 for the center last year and that about 1,000 attended the four-day event.
“We’re looking for a substantial gift to the River Center this year,” Anderson said.
Besides the art show, the event will include special art activities, demonstrations and evening presentations.
Reception tonight
An Art in the Park reception and open house to welcome 23 local artists and photographers participating in the show will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.
Artists will work and sell their art outdoors in Railroad Bridge Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Their work ranges from painting to pottery and block printing to driftwood sculpture. It will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Tuesday.
All of the art in the exhibit is for sale, and the artists are donating 25 percent of the sale price to the River Center.
Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will recognize the top four most popular pieces exhibited.
On Saturday, art activities for children will take place in the amphitheater.
Railroad Bridge Park will host “Bats beside the Dungeness” at 8 p.m. Saturday.
River Center Director Bob Boekelheide will give a dusk-time presentation about bats and then lead a search for bats flying over the river.
Bill Parker, student of natural history, will discuss moths on Sunday, then try to attract a variety of moths for viewing at 8:30 p.m.
Participants should meet in the amphitheater at Railroad Bridge Park for both events and should bring a flashlight and dress for the weather.
A $5 donation for those older than 18 is suggested.
The event is a prelude to the annual Dungeness River Festival during the last weekend of September, which Peetz said this year features driftwood art created by members of the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors.
For more information, phone Julie Jackson at 360-683-1355, e-mail juliejackson@wavecable.com or visit www.dungenessrivercenter.org.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.