At the display window in Uptown Port Townsend are, from left, Jeri Auty, Cheri Kopp, Debra Olson and Sue Gale, contributors to the “Art in a Pandemic” show, on view around the clock at the corner of Tyler and Lawrence streets. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)

At the display window in Uptown Port Townsend are, from left, Jeri Auty, Cheri Kopp, Debra Olson and Sue Gale, contributors to the “Art in a Pandemic” show, on view around the clock at the corner of Tyler and Lawrence streets. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)

Ten women share window display

Pandemic inspires creativity

PORT TOWNSEND — Look through this window and you see an outpouring: “Postcards from Home,” “Road Trip,” “F**kd,” “Solace.” These are a few of the 33 creations by artists from across the North Olympic Peninsula, all gathered on the corner of Lawrence and Tyler streets.

“Art in a Pandemic,” on display in the window at this Uptown intersection — cater-cornered from Aldrich’s market — offers evidence of how embroidery, collage, silk and sculpture can soothe the soul. The 10 artists, members of the Surface Design Association, proudly arranged their work in this compact show, to remain on view through March.

These women also demonstrate ways to make art with thrifted and salvaged materials, said Linda Carlson, a contributor from Sequim. She’s the one whose “Origami Garland” stretches across the top of the window while her “Mountainscape 1” and “Mountainscape 2” show her embroidery skill.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“I purchased nothing new for these projects,” said Carlson, an avid finder of recyclable materials.

For the origami and note cards, “I started with paper from my now-grown daughter’s old Camp Fire projects and tractor-feed computer paper from my office in the 1990s,” she said, adding it was just plain fun to play with texture and color.

During the pandemic, Carlson has found it hard to tackle demanding projects. And the most popular in the window are the origami ones: simple works finished in a few hours each.

“I painted and stamped paper, a process that I found soothing,” especially when she suffered from cabin fever.

Evette Allerdings of Port Angeles began the pandemic making masks — more than 600 — with her 88-year-old mother. Then, in summer, she worked on “Journey,” a silk painting depicting the ups and downs of her life.

“Being stuck at home forces you to become more introspective. Less noise,” Allerdings said.

Then came the end of August, when her brother-in-law died. She and her husband had to travel to San Diego to clean the family home; they drove a rented U-Haul back, and it was broken into in Sacramento, Calif. For the rest of the trip, they were surrounded by the smoke of wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington.

When Allerdings finally got home, she painted “F**kd.”

“If you look at it a certain way, it is the upward infection rate graphs with hand-stitched and beaded viruses. If you look at it in another way, it is the silhouette of mountains burning with hand-stitched and beaded embers,” she said.

“I let all my frustration, fear, and rage out.”

In the months leading to the November election, Allerdings worked on “Solace,” a large and radiant silk painting of a tulip in bloom. It gave her beauty — instead of the continual “what next?” news.

“COVID affected my process a lot,” she said.

“Art has kept me sane.”

Allerdings’ and Carlson’s work shares the window with fabric, felting, paper, wire and wood creations by Sue Gale, Cheri Kopp, Debra Olson, Janice Speck and Erika Wurm of Port Townsend; Jeri Auty of Port Ludlow; Mary Tyler of Chimacum and Barbara Houshmand of Port Angeles. There are necklaces, a scarf shaped like a cat, and yes, fitted face coverings. Information awaits at the Surface Design Association’s website, sda-np.com, and most pieces are for sale — but not the ones Allerdings made.

“COVID has helped me express myself,” she said.

“COVID has forced me to embrace myself … I know this must be a cliche by now, but art has been cathartic to me, and is my therapist. It is why this batch are not for sale. I want to keep these 2020 COVID pieces for myself. They are so personal, and will be a reminder of my growth, this year.”

________

Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Entertainment

Garden show tops list of weekend Peninsula events

A garden show, performances on stage and music concerts highlight this weekend’s… Continue reading

Colin Urwin will present “Irish Concert: Irish Stories and Songs” at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse on Wednesday.
Irish stories, songs to be presented

Colin Urwin will present “Irish Concert: Irish Stories and… Continue reading

Sachinmayi Menon plays Sandra in Allycea Weil’s Caged at 3 p.m. on Sunday. (Port Townsend Film Festival)
Garden show set this weekend at Boys & Girls Club

Soroptimist International of Sequim will host its 26th Gala Garden… Continue reading

Port Angeles Fine Arts Center seeking submissions

The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is seeking artwork… Continue reading

The Hot Club to perform at Concerts in the Woods

The Hot Club of Port Townsend will perform at Concerts… Continue reading

Guest performer set to play at Monday Musicale

Monday Musicale will meet at noon Monday at Joshua’s… Continue reading

Maya de Vitry will perform at Rainshadow Recording at Fort Worden on Tuesday.
Maya de Vitry to perform at Rainshadow Recording

Maya de Vitry will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday… Continue reading

Chris Cain Band to play at Palindrome

The Chris Cain Band will perform at 7:30 p.m.… Continue reading

North Olympic Library System to host mental health exhibit

The North Olympic Library System will host a reception… Continue reading

Tickets on sale for Ghostlight Productions fundraiser

Tickets are on sale for Ghostlight Productions’ April 11 Cabaret… Continue reading

Cellist Gregorio Nieto, pictured rehearsing with the Port Angeles Symphony in December, will return for a gala concert with the orchestra March 15 at Field Arts & Events Hall. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/For Peninsula Daily News)
Cellist returns to Port Angeles for symphony gala

He was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, and captivated early… Continue reading