Art comes alive Nov. 9th weekend

Ken Stern | Oct 31, 20180

count

TOP SHELF QUALITY AT RECEPTION – Scones, cookies and pastries, oh my! There is a smorgasbord of eateries in LaConner and you will find appetizers and desserts from several at the Art’s Alive reception. These cookies are long gone from The Scone Lady’s pastry case. – Photo by MaryRose Denton

The 34th annual Art’s Alive opens in Maple Hall with the Artists reception Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. Live music, appetizers and desserts from local restaurants, wine by donation and the 14 invited artists kick off the weekend.

Art will be exhibited throughout town Saturday and Sunday in a wide range of media. The invitational artists occupy the main floor of Maple Hall. The open show on the second floor, has 60 local artists. Maple Hall gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Live music will be playing continuously at Maple Hall during the the weekend.

Up Second Street, at the Civic Garden Club, is the Skagit Artists’ Juried Art Show. That also starts with an artist reception Friday, 5 p.m. Weekend gallery hours match Maple Hall’s.

Across town, and new this year, is the Student Art Show & Exhibition at the Tillinghast Seeds Complex at 623 Morris St. It is organized by and exhibiting high school artists. Gallery hours are Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Their reception is at 3 p.m. Nov. 10. The music is provided by The Legacy Combo, a jazz band with members from various high schools in the Valley.

Art will be alive through La Conner, to be found while taking the Walk Through Town Tour “featuring actual artists” at 12 galleries and merchants, the Museum of Northwest Art and the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum. There will be many studio live demonstrations and live entertainment. Get a program for all exhibits, hours and locations.

In addition, the Skagit County Historical Museum on North Fourth Street is celebrating its 50th Anniversary

Bring check books and credit cards for use at every location.

Art’s Alive is hosted, sponsored and organized by the La Conner Arts Commission, chaired by Rebecca Strong.

Local eateries fuel Art’s Alive! reception

MaryRose Denton

The weather outside may squall. The wind could be blowing rainbow colored leaves across the roads but come inside Maple Hall for the artists reception that kicks-off Art’s Alive! 6-9 p.m. Nov. 9. The celebration begins with local culinary arts such as mini scones and a multitude of sliders and sandwiches.

“Supporting local small businesses is important and something I strongly believe in”, says Christie Eichler, owner of The Scone Lady Bakery on First Street. Donating her fresh baked scones and small pastries is her way of showing support while keeping it local. There were several varieties to choose from when visiting her shop, including Lemon Tart, Pear Walnut and Marionberry.

The Calico Cupboard is another local business whose fine desserts will be available to sample. They will be open during the festival with daily specials featured on their chalkboard menu.

The Slider Cafe will be providing four dozen of their namesake BBQ pulled pork sliders reports co-owner and chief cook Patrick Ball. “They hold the longest,” of the varieties of sliders the café serves up, he said. Noting that this is their first participation in Art’s Alive, in their second year of business, Ball said he is “looking forward for people to sample some of our food who have not heard of us yet.”

“Supporting our local art and culture is what we are all about.” Jennifer Ferry, owner of Anelia’s Kitchen and Stage is passionate about her home cooked, Polish influenced, family recipes as well as the vitality of live music an art enriching the community. Sample Jennifer’s hand-made pulled pork sliders with barbeque sauce at the artist reception, then be sure to stop in for the after-party. Sip on a favorite beverage while listening to the entertaining tunes of “Uncle Doug”, a regular player at Anelia’s.

LaConner Seafood and Prime Rib House will also be providing small bites foods.