Find colorful mix at ‘Art, Garden Art and Plant Sale’

Each year artist Kay O’Rourke assembles an eclectic sampling of area artisans for her annual “Art, Garden Art and Plant Sale.”

“I like having a really good mix of people,” says O’Rourke. “In addition to established artists, I always bring in a few amateurs, such as card maker Cari Morton, who create just for the joy of it.”

The one-day event featuring 21 artists is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in O’Rourke’s garden, 3123 W. Ninth Ave. (off Sunset Highway north of Finch Arboretum).

Two veteran artists new to this informal outdoor show are Jon Lepper of Spokane and Jan Wilhelmi of Coeur d’Alene.

Lepper, a potter and art teacher for more than 30 years, has shifted his attention to metalsmithing jewelry. He is bringing a variety of silver earrings and necklaces.

“I do it because I love it,” he says. “It’s like making small sculpture.”

Wilhelmi, known primarily as a painter, is showing a series of mirrors, boxes and small tables decorated with high-gloss porcelain mosaics.

“The designs are so intricate they are jewel-like,” says Wilhelmi. “I think of the technique as being a brush stroke in three-dimension.”

Other items in the show include O’Rourke’s wood sculptures, paintings and drawings; Karen Mobley’s heron paintings and bird prints; and Tresia Oosting’s whimsical bird feeders and dolls.

Look for realistic paintings and prints by De De McKay; handbags made from recycled fabrics and air-brushed furniture by Pam Galloway; and glass and silver jewelry by Fiona Black.

Rik Nelson is bringing his recycled patchwork art, including fish, birdhouse roofs and bottle cap magicians; Amy Mickelsen is unveiling her summer collection of colorful beaded jewelry; and Rhea Giffin is displaying her playful papier-mache bowls and sculpture.

Husband-and-wife artists Dara and Tobe Harvey are showing paintings, drawings and puppets, and Tim Biggs is bringing his latest metal furniture and yard art.

Rounding out the offerings are abstract patio tables and metal sculpture by William Simmons and Karma Lloyd; garden novelties by mother-and-daughter team Louise and Chemyn Kodis; and sculptural metal leaves by mother-and-son crafters Jill and Sean Smith.

Also back are the popular perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetable plantings grown by the Gardeners of Spokane. All the money raised from selling plants goes into group’s community beautification projects for nonprofit organizations.

‘Sunset’ opens season

The Sunset Gallery in Harrison, Idaho, opens its first show of the summer season on Saturday with paintings and drawings by Michael S. Jones of St. Maries.

In the 1980s Jones painted portraits for celebrities. Today he focuses on abstract oil paintings and colorful interpretations of Edward Curtis’ photographic images of American Indians.

“At first glance they can appear quite dark in feeling,” says gallery owner Carol Muzik, “but looking deeply, they offer multiple layers of images and meaning.”

Sunset Gallery specializes in nontraditional contemporary art by regional artists in a variety of creative expressions.

Work on view is by artists including Vicky Bishop, Fred Pottraz, Jo Fyfe, Gay Waldman, Rhea Giffin, Lupe Payne, Roy Lammer, Dorian Renando, Lizette Fife, Jo Simpson, Andrea Evarts, Denise Oliver, Rebecca York, Larry Ritter, Jimmy Johnson, Rick Galbraith, Caroline Bishop and the I-90 Sisters.

An opening reception is Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. in the gallery, 200 S. Coeur d’Alene Ave. (above One Shot Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant) in Harrison.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Beginning July 1, it will be open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Open studio tour

“North Country Artist Trails,” an open studio tour organized by the Colville Arts Foundation, returns for its second summer.

A variety of artists are on this year’s tour, including painters, wood and stained-glass workers, photographers, potters and print makers.

Although participating artists and crafters have different hours, all will open their studios July 28 to 30 and Aug. 25 to 27.

A brochure, including a map and directions, is available at more than 150 locations throughout the Inland Northwest. For more information visit www.northcountryartisttrails.com.

Entrée Gallery show

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of a new show at the Entree Gallery at Priest Lake, Idaho.

“Some Things I Have Made,” a multimedia collection of sculpture and wall hangings by Spokane artist Jason Sheldon, opens with a reception on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

“The twists and spirals of an exposed root system, the gentle folds of the petals of a flower and the wind-hewed snow on a winter’s day are the forms that I try to work into every piece I create,” Sheldon says in a news release.

The gallery, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is on Reeder Bay Road, two miles east of Nordman near Elkins Resort. The show runs until June 30.

Spokane Valley arts

The Spokane Valley Arts Council’s “Spring Painting Exhibit” is up in the Spokane Valley Library through June 23.

A dozen artists are showing work in oils, watercolors and acrylics.

Painters exhibiting work are Dottie Bender, Amaryllis Bolster, Diane Conkright, Trish Elser, Henry Halseth, Hans Haupt, Susan Rohrback, Linda Schneider, Anne Sherrodd, Linda Smith, Sharon Vogt and Kathy Williams.

The library, 12004 E. Main Ave. in Spokane Valley, is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Censorship talk

California art historian and writer Louise Lewis talks about “Censorship in the Visual Arts” on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Student Union Building Lounges A and B, Building 17 on the Spokane Falls Community College campus, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive.

A reception follows in the Fine Arts Department, Building 6. Both events are free and open to the public.