Carco Theatre Presents Local Artists

The work of local artist Amanda J. DeSilver, will be on display through May 17 in the Carco Theatre Lobby.
Then, local photographer David Godwin’s work will be on display May 20 – June 28th.The public is invited to meet him there at a reception on Sunday, June 9th, from 3 – 5 pm.
David and his wife moved Seattle area about 11 years ago. David states, “ It is just a fantastic place to live and it’s filled with lots of wonderful places to visit and photograph. I began my hobby of photography about 5 years ago. Since that time I have been hooked and I really enjoy being outdoors with my camera. My main focus and real passion is nature, wildlife and landscape photography. This past summer my wife and I have gone on several hikes to see and capture images of many of the beautiful waterfalls found in the area. I am constantly seeking ways to improve my photographic skills. My goal in photography is to capture the beauty that surrounds us and it gives me great pleasure to be able to share those special moments with others.”

Carco Theatre, adjacent to the Renton Community Center, is located at 1717 Maple Valley Highway at the intersection of I-405 and Maple Valley Highway. Please contact the theatre for viewing times
at 425-430-6706 or at rentonwa.gov.
For more information about the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, visit ArtsCommission.rentonwa.gov.

Spring Equinox

The Renton Municipal Arts Commission and Allied Arts of Renton invite you be part of Renton’s growing arts and culture community by attending the Spring Arts Equinox, a free event! Meet other professional and amateur artists in your field, and learn about what’s happening in arts and culture while enjoying Renton-style Pechu Kecha presentations. Discover how you can get involved to craft the future of Arts & Culture in Renton. Join your friends and neighbors at this twice-annual event to learn more about what’s going on in arts and culture in Renton! The Spring theme is MOVING PICTURES. We will screen 2012 FilmFrenzy winners, and introduce the great work done by several local arts organizations. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. All members of the community are encouraged to attend, including creative entrepreneurs, arts supporters, and professional or amateur artists such as musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, dancers and actors.

WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 6:00pm

WHERE: Renton Civic Theatre: 507 S 3rd St, Renton, Washington 98057

CONTACT: To RSVP or for more information, contact arts@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-6589 or visit
Arts Commission.rentonwa.gov or AlliedArtsofRenton.org

Circle of Giving Awards

On January 16^th, The Renton Community Foundation held the 13^th annual “Circle of Giving” awards celebration at the Renton Senior Activity Center. I was there to accept a check for Allied Arts of Renton. Allied Arts is celebrating its 50^th birthday this year! The group has sponsored the Fall Family Concert for the last 30 of those years. Every fall, the 80 piece Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra provides amazing performances at the IKEA Performing Arts Center. The money received from the Renton Community Foundation, will be used to help underwrite costs of the concert. Last year, a senior named Ann was thrilled that she could go to a quality live performance for only $5! Thank you to the Circle of Giving for your help!

(Photo courtesy of Casey Winters)

2013 Carco Artist Exhibit Series!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 14-Feb 22  Bev Horn (www.arts-n-carafes.com)   - acrylic artist

Soothe the soul – that’s why Bev paints and that’s why she encourages others to paint.  Bev’s acrylic paintings are vibrant and colorful - to give your eyes a visual feast ~ especially during the PNW rainy season.  They are meant to inspire you so you might find your own artistic outlet to soothe YOUR soul!

Initially Bev went to college to be an art teacher.  She changed her mind early on and decided to pursue a business degree and life marched on.  Bev would occasionally take a watercolor class/photography class to keep the creative side of her brain active.  After 20+ years in the outside sales industry ranging from computers to cable television, yellow pages and Living Social, she decided to take the plunge and open a business based on her first love – art!

She currently teaches anyone (no experience necessary; over 21) to be able to paint these paintings at Arts-n-Carafes, a painting and sipping studio in downtown Renton.

Feb 25-April 5 Judy Sleight (www.sl8.com/Judy/)  - oil paint/color pencil artist

Judy has enjoyed drawing and other artistic pursuits since she was a child.  Drawing classes in high school and college gave her a good foundation.  She started oil painting in 1974 – first attending classes at a local art store and then taking workshops from many different Northwest artists.

Her style is realistic and detailed and her medium is oil on nylon canvas.  She also works with colored pencils.  Judy strives to capture the magic of light and shadow and enjoys painting a variety of subjects from mountains, seascapes, gardens and florals to an occasional still life or building.  The inspiration for her paintings comes from the wonderful variety of nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Judy has taught workshops at various studious around Washington State and written five books for Scheewe Publications.  She has sold her paintings and prints mostly through shows in Washington State and occasionally in galleries.  Her work is included in collections throughout the United States as well as in England, Australia, & New Zealand.  Several of her paintings have been represented on Leanin’ Tree cards.

“I dedicate my artwork to the Lord who gave me the talent and has blessed me by allowing me to make a living doing something I love.  I strive to thank Him by portraying the beauty and magnificence of His Creation.”

Please stay tuned for more information about the following exhibiting artists!

 

April 8 – May 17         Amanda DeSilver (www.popgirlzarts.com)                           acrylic artist

May 20- June 28         David Godwin (david-godwin-photography.com)                fine art photographer

July 1 – Aug 9             Cheryl Renee Long (www.cherylrlong.com)                          watercolor artist

Aug 26-Oct 4              Beth Betker (www.betkerart.com)                                        oil paint artist

Oct 7 – Nov 15           Soe Hemmi                                                                             pen and ink/color pencil artist

Nov 18 – Dec 27         Christina Strigenz (www.strigenz.net)                                  acrylic artist

Applications for the Carco artist exhibits are accepted all year, and we encourage you and/or the artists you know to apply for next year’s exhibit series.  Interested artists can download an application at ArtsCommission.rentonwa.gov or request an application at arts@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-6580.

BRAVO! Three Bravo Awards presented at City Council by the Renton Municipal Arts Commission

Photos courtesy of Jenny Manning

 

Last night at the city council meeting, the Renton Municipal Arts Commission presented three Bravo Awards. These prestigious awards are in recognition of individual,  efforts to make art and culture a vital part of the Renton Community.

The recipients were Kevin Kaiser, Mike Simpson – and Doug Kyes who was surprised by this award at the time of presentation.

Mike Simpson is the leader of the Renton City Municipal Band, a previous president of Allied Arts, plays jazz on his French horn at many community occasions, and has taught at Renton, Lindbergh, and Kenwood High Schools. His talents and efforts have been valuable assets for music lovers in the community.

Kevin Kaiser is the Artistic/Executive Director of the Evergreen City Ballet. His passion and commitment to dance has led to bringing high level, quality performances to the City of Renton. The Evergreen City Ballet is unique in offering dance classes and performances, in a wide range of styles and provides community outreach, education and employment for many young dancers.

Doug Kyes has served in leadership roles as a Renton Municipal Arts Commissioner, board member of Allied Arts of Renton, original official artist for Renton River Days, is an active member of the Renton Rotary Club, and has donatd many of his original art pieces to the city of Renton where they are on public display. His devotion to the city of Renton in promoting his community as an art and cultural center is very much appreciated. (I have more to tell you about Doug, as I interviewed him recently. Look for my next blog.)

The three were presented with plaques commemorating these significant achievement awards by Mayor Denis Law.

 

Arts–n–Carafes, a Painting and Sipping Experience

I had so much fun on Friday night at Arts-n-Carafes in Renton! It’s a combination of socializing, with wine and appetizers, in a totally non-intimidating painting class. It doesn’t, matter if you have never painted before – you walk out with your own canvas, feeling wonderfully talented! This new concept is catching on in many communities, and word of mouth has made this Renton location an increasingly popular destination for groups and individuals. When my daughter and I arrived, we first tied on the provided aprons, and filled our pallets with the necessary acrylic paint colors for the evening’s assignment. We chose our seats in front of upright easels and our brushes, then filled our plates with the appetizers and received our complimentary first glass of wine. Owner and art instructor, Bev Horn began showing us the process for creating our masterpiece – this one, a whimsical winter holiday scene with pink sky, blue snow, and lovely be-dazzled trees. One step at a time, we followed her example as she stood at an easel in front of the class. I decided
to take creative license, so my trees were not exactly as she directed, but it really doesn’t matter if you want to paint outside the box!

I asked Bev about her background and she said she came to the area from Nebraska in 2006, and moved to Renton in 2010. She started out as an art student but was side-tracked with family and a high-tech sales career for twenty years, which was more lucrative than the water color painting she loved. But eventually, she decided life was too short not to do what you are passionate about. So after attending a similar place and enjoying it, she opened
Arts–n–Carafes on 3^rd Street in downtown Renton in April of this year. The walls of the studio are lined with acrylic art paintings from previous classes. Every night is a different theme. Patrons include corporate morale and team-building groups, birthday parties, and fund-raising events. Bev offers anywhere from 25% to 40% of the registration fee back for the non-profit groups, such as one she hosted for kidney dialysis and for Dimmitt and Hazelwood PTSA’s. She will soon be hosting a fundraiser for Renton High school’s Volleyball team.

My daughter and I plan to attend another class soon. Meanwhile, we are going to hang our lovely holiday paintings next to each other in a special place in our home! To find more information, or to get on the schedule, you can visit www.Arts-n-Carafes.com      

 

Happy 70th Birthday Jimi Hendrix

It wasn’t long after moving to Renton that I learned that Jimi Hendrix was buried a few blocks away from me on 4th Street – or Cemetary Road as the locals call it. I have brought several visitors there to see the unique monument that attracts over 14,000 visitors a year from all over the globe!

On November 27th, Tina Hendrix and the Hendrix Music Academy are presenting the Jimi Hendrix 70^th Birthday Benefit Concert and Art Show. The Renton Municipal Arts Commission will be a sponsor of this event at the Carco Theater, and I plan to be there.

On the 70^th anniversary of Seattle’s own Rock legend’s birth, the event is to celebrate his contributions and to raise money for at-risk youth music programs at the Hendrix Music Academy, located in Renton.

National and local musicians will come out to pay tribute to the rock legend, and raise money for At-risk youth programs, by performing Jimi Hendrix classics and their own music. The Hendrix Music Academy students will also perform with great pride and gratitude for Jimi Hendrix!  In honor of Jimi’s 70^th Birthday, they will publish 70 original songs. If you are interested, you can find out more about the benefit concert at  www.hendrixmusicacademy.org