Spokane celebrates its arts scene with the October Arts Month

All the leaves may be turning brown, but Spokane’s local arts scene is sprouting more creativity than ever. Dozens of happenings are popping up this season at art galleries, theaters, and cultural centers all over the city. Spokane Arts, the nonprofit promoting Spokane as a cultural hub for the region, is highlighting these events as part of its 2018 Fall Arts Tour.

The following is just some of the fun things to see and do, for free, to enjoy Spokane’s creative nature. Come up with your own top 10 list of art events, readings, plays or films you want to attend by checking it all out at spokanearts.org

Take a break from the crowds at Terrain to attend as many First Friday art openings as you can this Friday. Here are some:

1. Chase Gallery kicks off its All Media Juried Exhibit showcasing a whopping 36 artists, including John deRoulet, Reinaldo Gil Zambrano, Rolf Goetzinger, Roin Morigeau, Rob McKirdie, Christine MontFort, Elana Westphal, and many others. Three cash prizes up to $1,000 will be announced at the party. 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, lower level, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

2. Avenue West celebrates its 15th anniversary with a show by featured member Marsha Marcuson and guest photographer Kathryn Alexander. 907 W. Boone, Suite C, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

3. Saranac Art Projects has a triple threat opening Friday with three compelling artists. Julie Gautier-Downes assembles dollhouses built from your broken dreams and abandoned hopes in “Dioramas of Disaster,” communicating narratives about domestic violence, trauma, and the fragility of relationships. Wendy Franklund Miller’s moody objects, collages, and paintings bring a modern edge. Bradd Skubinna exhibits new colored pencil on paper drawings to take you to more fantastical places. 25 W. Main Ave, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

4. Caren Furbeyre explores the sensuality and immediacy of brushstrokes using gouache on paper at Dodson’s Jewelers. 516 W. Riverside from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

5. New Moon Art Gallery will showcase craftsman Antonio Fletcher, who works with wood ethically sourced from fallen trees, demolished buildings, and shorelines. His bowls and sculptures will be among the works of 25 local artists on display at 1326 E. Sprague Ave, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

6. Artist and composer Rick Garcia explores musical relationships through his oils on wood panels at Iron Goat Brewing. 1302 W. Second Ave. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

7. Nick Spanjer will feature his color photography at Berserk Bar at 125 S. Stevens St. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

8. Spokane Camera Club members will exhibit their photographs at Barrister Winery at 1213 W. Railroad Ave. from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

9. Emma Noyes, illustrator and member of the Sinixt (Lakes) band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will show her work at The Bartlett based on characters from her tribe’s origin stories. 228 W. Sprague, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

10. Core Pilates and Wellness in Kendall Yards will host painter Robin Pickering’s artist reception at 1230 W. Summit Parkway from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

And that’s just First Friday. There’s a whole host of creative riches to harvest in October, such as:

1. The Spokane Symphony performs with violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn, who brings her legendary 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius to Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Oct. 6 and 7. 1001 W. Sprague Ave. 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $19-$60.

2. Former Spokane poet laureate Laura Read launches her new book “Dresses From the Old Country” with readings by fellow poets Maya Jewell Zeller and Ellen Welcker on Oct. 8 at The Bartlett at 7 p.m.

3. Playwright and local radio personality Molly Allen premieres her new play “Closing It Up” on Oct. 11 at Stage Left Theatre at 108 W. Third Ave. at 7:30 p.m. The play runs weekends through Oct. 21. Cost: $20

4. People of color and those who wish to volunteer to help are encouraged to attend a meetup for Saturate, Spokane Arts’ annual effort to highlight underrepresented artists. Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saranac Art Projects at 25 W. Main Ave.

5. Pivot is a showcase for live storytelling by Spokane locals in a style similar to The Moth. The theme of “Monster” is lined up for Oct. 18 at the Cracker Building, 304 W. Pacific Ave. at 7 p.m.

6. One Heart Native Film Festival’s theme this year is “Honoring Our Women,” bringing attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Canadian singer Buffy Sainte-Marie will headline the Oct. 19 & 20 festival of Indigenous arts and culture. Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Festival Pass: $60

7. Spokane Civic Theatre presents an old-fashioned witch hunt in the form of a reading of Arthur Miller’s classic play “The Crucible” on Oct. 19 and 20. 1020 N. Howard St. at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $18-$25

8. Spokane Art School’s fundraiser, the “Monster Drawing Rally” on Oct. 19, will feature more than 45 local artists who will create original drawings from the blank page. Drawings are then made available for a fixed price of $50. Admission price of $20 includes live music and food catered by the Gilded Unicorn. Montvale Event Center, 1017 W. First Ave. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Learn more about these and many other Fall Arts events at spokanearts.org