NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, July 1.
SEQUIM — The color purple is the theme of this evening’s First Friday Art Walk in Sequim, chosen in commemoration of the 2016 Sequim Lavender Festival from July 15 to July 17.
Art Walk is a free self-guided tour that leads participants to local art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month.
Visit www.sequimartwalk.com to download a map of participating venues.
It will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition to being the color of Sequim’s famous lavender blooms, purple also represents “supportive spiritual efforts, dignity, royal thoughtfulness and magical camaraderie,” said Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, who sponsors and produces the event.
Brock-Richmond encourages attendees to wear purple when exploring the various shops and events.
“You will find works of art and folks supporting the option to dress in tints and shades of purple as they enjoy a festive night on the town with friends and fellow Sequimmers preparing for Sequim Lavender Weekend later in the month,” Brock-Richmond said.
Participants can also expect to see plenty of folks and arts decorated in red, white and blue in honor of Independence Day, she said.
“Art Walk has many places to honor our freedoms and pursuit of happiness,” Brock-Richmond said.
A cross section of events:
■ Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St., this month will feature the work of gourd artist Debbie Cain and carver Joyce Volmut as part of the Inspired by Nature exhibit.
Cain and Volmut’s works will be displayed in the front windows.
“Debbie and Joyce create from what they see, feel and imagine,” said Ryoko Toyama of Blue Whole Gallery.
“Their powerful work will take viewers to the world of fine art filled with joy and energy.”
Cain said she did her first gourd art about 12 years ago, and “was totally captivated to explore the possibilities on this new 3D canvas.”
Volmut has been carving since 2003, and said her goal is “to capture a real sense” of the bird she is recreating.
“I focus on anatomy, feather patterns, facial expressions and color,” she said.
“I want my carvings to connect with people and to bring about an appreciation for wild birds and the important role they play in our lives.”
For more information, visit www.bluewholegallery.com.
■ The Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will display works by area artists selected by the City Arts Advisory Commission. The works are located in the lobby.
The exhibit will remain on display from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until Sept. 30.
The City Arts Advisory Commission reviewed 24 pieces of work from 12 artists before selecting 19 pieces to be included in the display.
The exhibit includes works in watercolor, acrylics, mixed media, photography and metal.
The artists represented are Barb Boerigter, Sharon Delabarre, Karen Gates-Kilpatrick, Pat Gordon, Terri Jones, Judy Larimore, John McBride, Kimberly McBride, Betty Oppenheimer, Sandy Placek, Patty Waite and George Zien.
Also this evening, pianist Ken Young will perform from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to kickoff the “Keying Around” program, which saw the placement of pianos at the Sequim Civic Center Plaza, Centennial Place and at the First Security Bank plaza for the public to use during the month of July.
■ Swallow’s Nest Antiques & Estates Sales, 145 E. Washington St., this evening will display the works of woodworking artist Evan Miller and jewelry designed by Janel Bolinge and Ardyce Sakimoto.
Miller combines exotic woods with unique original designs; Bolinger incorporates earthy, spiritual creations that showcase natural crystal, stones and hand crafted copper findings; and Sakimoto uses gemstones, hand-blown lampwork glass beads and natural materials.
■ Kaboom Salon, Inc., 168 E. Bell St., this evening will showcase works by mixed media artist Janie Brackney.
■ The Sequim Museum and Arts Center, 175 W. Cedar St., this evening will host “The Art of Lavender” exhibit produced by the Sequim Lavender Growers Association and also from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The exhibit includes artwork by regional and award-winning artists from previous Sequim Lavender Festival poster selections.
The display also showcases the historical partnerships the Growers Association has had with supporting local groups, causes and scholarships, and a quilt created by the group, “Quilters for Hero’s.”
The quilt includes portions of Sequim Lavender Festival cloth shirts, and represents the versatility of the flower in various settings and its significance to the progressive growth and identification of the lavender movement in this region throughout the years, organizers said.
■ Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., this evening will host the improvisation troupe Tweaking Reality.
The troupe will lead a performance focusing on audience participation to be presented between two recital pieces performed by the Sequim Ballet.
Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the ballet beginning at 5:30 p.m.. There will be no charge for attendance. Refreshments, including beer, wine and light snacks, will be available for purchase.
Tweaking Reality consists of Dave McInnes, Olivia Shea, Danny Willis and Pamela Ziemann.
“Improv is such a great way to sharpen your acting skills while having some serious fun,” Willis said.
Sequim Ballet dancers Kate D’Amico, Amara Sayer, Eleanor Byren, Ryan Andrews, Saige Turner and Ava Rich will perform two dances from the original choreography of “Cinderella” by Sequim Ballet Mistress Laurel Herrera.
“This is another chance for these serious dancers to perform,” Herrera said.
“I like for them to have as many opportunities to dance in front of an audience as possible. This performance bridges the gap between our opening of ‘Cinderella’ and our premiere of ‘The Nutcracker,’ which we plan to stage at OTA this winter.”
■ R&T Crystals and Beads will have jewelry demonstrations at 158 E Bell St.
■ That Takes the Cake, 171 W. Washington St., will display colorful, artistic cupcakes.
■ Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., this evening will host Twisted Roots, which performs a mixture of blues, rock and folk.
