Zaranski’s ‘Daydreams’ dazzle Koehler Gallery
Marek Zaranski’s strong abstract images pulsate and dart across the walls of Whitworth College’s Koehler Gallery.
“The closest parallel stylistically is abstract expressionism or color field painting – but with a camera,” says gallery director Scott Kolbo. “The images retain enough of their source content to add a layer of mystery and intrigue.”
“Daydreams” features 17 vibrant photographs. Each image is one exposure on one frame of film, created completely in the camera.
“It’s important to know that this is all straight photography with no digital manipulation,” says Zaranski. “There is no cutting and pasting with computer software.”
The Spokane photographer uses techniques such as long exposure times and camera movement to produce feelings of gesture, action and energy in his images.
“Marek’s work is formally pleasing,” says Kolbo, “yet the colors just come at you with such intensity. It is a classical experience with strong vibrant color.”
An artist’s reception is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a “part-lecture, part-art happening” in the gallery in the Fine Arts Building on the college campus, 300 W. Hawthorne Road.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 24. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free; call 777-3258 for information.
First Friday Artwalk
Not to be confused with First Night, which happens only once a year, First Friday happens every month when art spaces in downtown Spokane open their doors for an evening of visual arts and music.
Walk from gallery to gallery to view all of the new exhibits or linger at just a few. All opening receptions are on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated):
“Artisans’ Wares, 1009 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – Paintings by Russian-born artist Natalya McCafferty.
“Artist’s Tree Gallery, 828 W. Sprague Ave. – Sandra Hilson, paint on glass and canvas; live music by Roberts and Medina.
“Avenue West Gallery, 1021 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – Keiko Von Holt’s watercolor and sumi-e paintings; pottery by Amy Wharfe.
“Chase Gallery, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. – “Hawks and Doves: A Transitory Harmony” by Brittany Faulkner.
“Empyrean, 154 S. Madison St. – Stained glass live demo by Michelle LeVar. Also, Angelica DiChiara-Hardin’s oils on canvas and Jo Dreitsprecher’s oils and mixed media artwork. Live acoustic music by Logan Heftel.
“Galleria De Felice, Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. – New oil paintings by Spokane artist Tom Wakeley.
“GoodWorks Gallery, 1019 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Flying Backwards,” long-buried and recent artworks by John Noble.
“Huneke Gallery at Spokane Art School, 920 N. Howard St. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Work from the Hands,” curated by Betty Lukins, features works by Northwest fiber artists including Judy Anderson, Linda Malan, Kim Powers, Lexi Biggs, Anita Mayer, Janet Sahlin, Pat Boyd, Audrey Moore, Sarah Swett, Sue Ellen Heflin, Marilyn Moore, Katherine Sylvan, Gay Jensen, Jan Moulder, Ilse Tan, Louise Kodis, Mary Nickol, Margaret Wheeler, Rebecca Laurence, Judy Patterson and Dian Zahner.
“Interplayers Gellhorn Gallery, 174 S. Howard St. – Landscapes and florals by Spokane artist Shirley Hackett.
“Lorinda Knight Gallery, 523 W. Sprague Ave. (6 to 8 p.m.) – “The Sublime,” black-and-white photographs of regional landscapes by John Lewis.
“Kolva Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. (5 to 9 p.m.) – Tobe Harvey’s rich, colorful and mysterious paintings.
“Kress Gallery, River Park Square, third level, 808 W. Main Ave. – “Headstrong and Humorous,” works by the Northwest Papier Mache Artists’ Guild: Sherri Ballman, Lisa Conger, Peggy Donovan, Rhea Giffin, Nancy Heffter, Leata Judd, Judy Minter, and Larry Thomas.
“New Dawn Books and Shanti Gallery, 509 W. Sprague Ave. – “Recovery Process,” narrative works by Carrie Scozzaro.
“Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. – “Kathleen Cavender: Passages” in the Orientation Gallery, free artist reception 5 to 8 p.m.; admission to museum exhibits by donation, 5 to 9 p.m.
“On Sacred Grounds: Coffee Shoppe, Steam Plant Square, 163 S. Lincoln St. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Silent Words,” watercolors of people, trees and buildings by Bill Osebold.
“Pigeon Hole Gallery at Holy Threads, 620 S. Washington St. – Area artists.
“Pottery Place Plus, 402 W. Main Ave. – Paul Cousineau’s walking sticks and Llea Vaughn’s Rustic Creations birdhouses.
“Print Elements, 227 W. Riverside Ave. – Kendall Watson’s oil pastel and ink artwork.
“Rainbow Regional Community Center Gallery, 508 W. Second Ave. – works by Jayme Aumann, Jan-Marie Danielson, Cliff Hall and Linda M. Lawrie.
“Red Sky Studio and Gallery, 115 S. Adams St. (5 to 9 p.m.) – Pots by Rosemary Coffman and Chris Kelsey.
“Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Boxing the Legend,” Carl Richardson’s silkscreens on glass; live music.
Other First Friday activities
“ComedySportz, 227 W. Riverside Ave. – “Interactive Improv Experience,” 8 p.m.; free admission to the first 15 people who stop by between 5 and 6 p.m.
“CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. – Night Owl Sets with the Lindell Reason Trio at Ella’s Supper Club on the third floor, until 12:30 a.m.
“Far West Billiards, 1001 W. First Ave. – Contemporary artwork by Linda Lawrie, Jayme Aumann and Cliff Hall.
“Global Credit Union, 726 W. Riverside Ave. – Look through the windows and take in paintings by Herald Jackson.
“Mootsy’s, 9 N. Washington St. – Art by local artists.
“Rock Coffee, 920 W. First Ave. – Paintings by local artists; live music.
“Spokane Transit Authority Plaza, 701 W. Riverside Ave. – “Remembering Natatorium Park” display.
Vieth’s paintings at Bank Left
The Bank Left Gallery in Palouse, Wash., is spotlighting the oil paintings of Ellen Vieth during January.
“I think of my work as a vehicle for exploration, social commentary, synthesis and observation. It is a way of life,” says Veith in a news release.
Meet Veith at an opening reception on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 100 S. Bridge St. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.