First Friday: Plenty to see and do at the monthly gallery walk in downtown Spokane
Looking for a free, fun, pedestrian-friendly activity where you can enjoy some culture? Then head downtown for Spokane’s First Friday Art Walk.
Below are some highlights, but go to http://downtownspokane.org/first-friday/ for the entire list of downtown venues throwing open their doors to art lovers.
Saranac Art Projects features the art of two fascinating creatives: Mariah Boyle and Tobe Harvey. Boyle’s show, “Fragments,” will explore elements of chance in relation to landscape and process. Get lost (in a good way) in her life-sized mixed media imaginings and installations created through physical and conceptual layers of drawing and painting. Harvey’s accompanying show in the other half of Saranac’s gallery space is enticingly called “The Gloomy Art of Flower Arranging.” The flowers and plants Harvey depicts, and the landscapes he creates, can only stem from a fertile imagination. Both artists’ receptions are from 5 to 8 p.m. this Friday. Regular gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. 25 W. Main Ave.
When experimental noise and mixed media artist Bruce Hormann decides to show a culmination of his several years’ exploration in work space and media, you lace the Chucks, get in the van and go. The Kolva-Sullivan Gallery will host Hormann’s “Tertiary Row Immersion” show, a colorful attempt at creating a visual language through a variety of materials. In addition to First Friday’s launch, Hormann will also give a talk on Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This Friday’s reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. Additional viewings at the Kolva-Sullivan are set for the next four Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 115 S. Adams St.
Barrister Winery is setting up a good time, showcasing the talents of members of the River Ridge Association of Fine Arts. Visitors can enjoy an evening of quality art, award-winning wines, food by Beacon Hill Catering, and music by acoustic blues musician Lyle Morse. From 5 to 9 p.m. 1213 W. Railroad Ave.
Another good place for a nice pour, live music, and great art is the LeftBank Wine Bar. Spokane artist Louis Gravely will display his colorful abstract paintings, as emotional as a summer’s day. Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Musician Nick Grow performs from 7 to 10 p.m. A French wine tasting flight goes for just $10. 108 N. Washington St.
Kendall Yards will be hopping with a special art show at Mom’s Custom Tattoo and Body Piercing celebrating two of the shop’s tattoo artists. Bonnie Gillson has been inking skin for 10 years, and Anji Marth has been decorating human canvasses for 20. The two artists have created new artworks for their anniversaries. Party begins at 5 p.m. at 1226 W. Summit Parkway.
A few shops down from Mom’s is Marmot Art Space, where Whitworth University art professor Rob Fifield will show his paintings focusing on quilt-like patterns and Google Map-style images. The show “Quilts & Field Patterns” is an exploration of our human relationship to the external world. 5 to 8 p.m. 1202 W. Summit Parkway.
A short stroll west of Marmot is the new Maryhill Tasting Room where local artist Beth Heart will show her pretty, polished, pointillism pieces. The multimedia artist, photographer, graphic designer and published poet walks in the footsteps of French impressionists and cartoon artists alike. Artist’s reception is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tommy G will croon 1970s favorites with his guitar from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 1303 W. Summit Parkway.
Just east of Kendall Yards is the Avenue West Gallery where several artists will make a big splash with their works that are small in size or focus. “Small Things” kicks off with a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. The gallery’s “little” exhibition is up all month, open Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 907 W. Boone Ave.
A favorite Spokane spot is the Liberty Building, which will show new art by Sheila Johnson, Dylan Lipsker and Lisa Kreymborg on the mezzanine and second floor. Don’t miss stopping in at Pottery Place Plus on the Liberty’s first floor where Amy Alicia Charbonneau is showing her metal sculpture. She and other cooperative artists will be on hand for a First Friday reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hit both shows before checking out the books and games at Auntie’s and Uncle’s. 203 N. Washington St.
Julie Gautier-Downes adds another dimension to her ruminations on abandoned places with “Home Studies,” featuring new installations and photographs at the Terrain Gallery. These dollhouses ain’t for kids. From 5 to 8 p.m. 304 W. Pacific Ave.
And the Chase Gallery’s summer show illustrates the mission of the Spokane Handweavers’ Guild: to increase the skill and awareness of the art and craft of weaving by hand. The pieces on display in the Chase include individual and group projects, past and current works, and a new installation: “Seventy Scarves for 70 Years.” Reception 5 to 8 p.m. 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., lower level inside City Hall.