Webmaster
08-09-2007, 07:23 AM
By Lauren Vane
Times Southeast Bureau
The sweet smell of wine hangs in the air. People float past artful photographs and oil paintings, carrying small hors d'oeuvre plates of dainty bites. The swanky sounds of swing music bounce through the delicately lit tent.
It looks and feels like an upscale, cosmopolitan art opening. But a quick peek out the tent reveals that you're clearly not in the city. There's the scone wagon and the Ferris wheel — it's the fairgrounds in Enumclaw.
To the rest of King County, Enumclaw is the epitome of farm country. Livestock, feed stores, cowboy boots — and art?
For more than 20 years, the city of Enumclaw has put a spotlight on the arts. The plateau is home to artists, galleries and arts organizations that range from theater groups to a writers' association. This summer's calendar of arts events proves there's plenty of culture inside the city limits.
In a few weeks, the city will celebrate the unveiling of "Boys in the Band," a bronze sculpture purchased in honor of the 25th anniversary of the arts commission. The sculpture of three children playing musical instruments is already installed on the grounds of City Hall.
On street corners, and even in a local car dealership, Enumclaw's got art.
"Celebrating the life and the energy of the community is shown in the artwork that you have in the community," said Mayor John Wise.
The city art gallery in the city council chambers offers a revolving schedule of art exhibits. The work of Northwest artists is also displayed at the Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership and at the Enumclaw campus of Green River Community College.
In August, the city hosts an art walk through downtown, with artist demonstrations and live music. Arts Alive!, a local nonprofit, runs an art gallery, art classes and provides grants to artists and arts organizations.
Cultural Programs Manager Gary LaTurner said the city's arts community has evolved significantly in recent years.
Existing arts programs have been maintained and enhanced and the amount of public art has increased, LaTurner said. There are now four art galleries in town.
The city is buzzing about another piece of public art set to arrive this fall — a 14-foot high bronze sculpture of two oxen pulling a log — to honor the area's logging history. This "world class" piece of art by Enumclaw artist Dan Snider is funded by the Logging Legacy Foundation and will be installed in front of the Enumclaw library
"We thought that maybe using a different medium like art will help the average person understand the logging industry," said foundation board member Tom Poe said.
The piece also serves as a reminder of the people killed in logging accidents, Poe said.
Future plans call for a sculpture walk through the city's public-art pieces, LaTurner said.
Enumclaw is not only host to artwork but also a home to artists.
Sculptor Ross Brown found a surprisingly active artists community when he moved to Enumclaw in 1990. After living in Seattle, Brown needed an affordable place to run his metal-sculpting foundry.
"The arts community is growing," Brown said. "There seems to be a pretty consistent community interest."
Elaine Lynest, arts-commission member and vice chair of Arts Alive!, says the city has served as a stepping stone for some artists who started locally and now show their work internationally.
Some featured locations are:
Base Camp Artists compete for prizes in this 14th annual juried-art exhibit. The art will be on display through today at the Enumclaw Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave. S.E.
City Gallery The city of Enumclaw's gallery inside City Hall features revolving art exhibits through the year. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Enumclaw City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave.
Art in the Garden See art outdoors amid blooming flowers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. This Arts Alive! event is held at the home of Liz and Don Reynolds, 1903 Gossard St., Enumclaw.
Art Walk The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 with the unveiling of the arts commission's bronze sculpture on the lawn in front of City Hall. The Art Walk stretches through downtown Enumclaw on Cole Street.
Source: City of Enumclaw, Arts Alive!
from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003799824_enumclawarts22s.html
Times Southeast Bureau
The sweet smell of wine hangs in the air. People float past artful photographs and oil paintings, carrying small hors d'oeuvre plates of dainty bites. The swanky sounds of swing music bounce through the delicately lit tent.
It looks and feels like an upscale, cosmopolitan art opening. But a quick peek out the tent reveals that you're clearly not in the city. There's the scone wagon and the Ferris wheel — it's the fairgrounds in Enumclaw.
To the rest of King County, Enumclaw is the epitome of farm country. Livestock, feed stores, cowboy boots — and art?
For more than 20 years, the city of Enumclaw has put a spotlight on the arts. The plateau is home to artists, galleries and arts organizations that range from theater groups to a writers' association. This summer's calendar of arts events proves there's plenty of culture inside the city limits.
In a few weeks, the city will celebrate the unveiling of "Boys in the Band," a bronze sculpture purchased in honor of the 25th anniversary of the arts commission. The sculpture of three children playing musical instruments is already installed on the grounds of City Hall.
On street corners, and even in a local car dealership, Enumclaw's got art.
"Celebrating the life and the energy of the community is shown in the artwork that you have in the community," said Mayor John Wise.
The city art gallery in the city council chambers offers a revolving schedule of art exhibits. The work of Northwest artists is also displayed at the Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealership and at the Enumclaw campus of Green River Community College.
In August, the city hosts an art walk through downtown, with artist demonstrations and live music. Arts Alive!, a local nonprofit, runs an art gallery, art classes and provides grants to artists and arts organizations.
Cultural Programs Manager Gary LaTurner said the city's arts community has evolved significantly in recent years.
Existing arts programs have been maintained and enhanced and the amount of public art has increased, LaTurner said. There are now four art galleries in town.
The city is buzzing about another piece of public art set to arrive this fall — a 14-foot high bronze sculpture of two oxen pulling a log — to honor the area's logging history. This "world class" piece of art by Enumclaw artist Dan Snider is funded by the Logging Legacy Foundation and will be installed in front of the Enumclaw library
"We thought that maybe using a different medium like art will help the average person understand the logging industry," said foundation board member Tom Poe said.
The piece also serves as a reminder of the people killed in logging accidents, Poe said.
Future plans call for a sculpture walk through the city's public-art pieces, LaTurner said.
Enumclaw is not only host to artwork but also a home to artists.
Sculptor Ross Brown found a surprisingly active artists community when he moved to Enumclaw in 1990. After living in Seattle, Brown needed an affordable place to run his metal-sculpting foundry.
"The arts community is growing," Brown said. "There seems to be a pretty consistent community interest."
Elaine Lynest, arts-commission member and vice chair of Arts Alive!, says the city has served as a stepping stone for some artists who started locally and now show their work internationally.
Some featured locations are:
Base Camp Artists compete for prizes in this 14th annual juried-art exhibit. The art will be on display through today at the Enumclaw Expo Center, 45224 284th Ave. S.E.
City Gallery The city of Enumclaw's gallery inside City Hall features revolving art exhibits through the year. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Enumclaw City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave.
Art in the Garden See art outdoors amid blooming flowers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5. This Arts Alive! event is held at the home of Liz and Don Reynolds, 1903 Gossard St., Enumclaw.
Art Walk The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 with the unveiling of the arts commission's bronze sculpture on the lawn in front of City Hall. The Art Walk stretches through downtown Enumclaw on Cole Street.
Source: City of Enumclaw, Arts Alive!
from: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/southeastkingcountynews/2003799824_enumclawarts22s.html