[Cover design by Heather Loyd/Peninsula Daily News]

[Cover design by Heather Loyd/Peninsula Daily News]

IN THE PENINSULA SPOTLIGHT: Art Port Townsend gathers 37 artists for studio tour

GreenBean, the heroine of Elizabeth Blake’s book True Blue Family, worries that she doesn’t belong. She seems so different, after all, from her folks.

But then GreenBean discovers that belonging is about something else entirely. She learns what it means to be part of a family, and how her differences are wonderful things to have.

So goes the story told by Blake, an artist who invites children and their families to join her for art projects this weekend.

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

Blake, along with 36 other local painters, sculptors and toy makers, is part of the 14th annual Art Port Townsend studio tour spread across town and beyond; the demonstrations, displays and art sales are all over the area, from Blake’s Tin Can Studio to Chuck Iffland’s fantastical farm in Chimacum.

The tour is free and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and details about the activities at each stop, plus directions, are at www.ArtPort

Townsend.org. Studio tour brochures are also available at the Northwind Arts Center, 2409 Jefferson St., and at the Port Townsend Visitors Center at 440 12th St. Information is also available by phoning Northwind at 360-379-1086.

Bedazzled

The variety out there is plain dazzling. And as Blake would say, all these differences are to be held high up into the light, since they’re what make each of us interesting.

At Tin Can Studio, where Blake will spend the weekend, she’ll help visiting kids create small projects celebrating their own uniqueness. She’ll also show some of her book illustrations, how they grew from storyboards — and how they add humor and other elements not explained by the words.

Transcends verbal

The panoply of art on the rest of the tour likewise transcends the verbal. Take Iffland’s creatures like the Juggler and the Whirling Dervish. He’s sculpts them out of wood and metal, peoples his backyard with them and invites everybody to come see the process.

“The [studio] tour gives folks an opportunity to see where art and craft is made,” Iffland says, “and to experience the amazing diversity in the local art scene.”

A number of artists are sharing studio space throughout the weekend. The Tin Can Studio at 128 Woodland Ave. brings together Blake and nature photographer Stephen Cunliffe, while Peninsula Palettes, 292 Sand Road, is a gathering spot for 10 more artists.

Sculptures

The studio tour is also a chance to see Margaret Takaki’s blufftop property. At her place at 1617 Washington St., Port Townsend Bay view and all, the sculptor will display her tall figures of Northwest Native Americans, as well as her Japanese ceramics — and she’ll serve green tea and shortbread.

“People who come talk about the peacefulness of the place,” said Takaki, who also runs a bed and breakfast inn.

“There is nothing quite as much fun as being invited into spaces not usually open to the public,” Art Port Townsend organizer Rae Belkin said. “The studio tour is an opportunity to meet the person behind the art, ask questions and begin to understand what the artists are looking for in their own work: why they do what they do.”

More in Life

ISSUES OF FAITH: Find joy in the promise of Easter

AS A MISSIONARY in France, I shared a movie called “Together Forever”… Continue reading

Easter services set for Trinity United Methodist

Trinity United Methodist Church has announced its schedule of services… Continue reading

Palm Sunday service scheduled

The Rev. Craig Vocelka will present “The Fickleness of… Continue reading

Doug Benecke will present “Just Like That: The Nature of Grace in the Universe and in our Lives” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Program set for weekend service

Doug Benecke will present “Just Like That: The Nature… Continue reading

OUUF speaker set for weekend

The Rev. Julia McKenna-Blessing-Nuffer will present “This Place We… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Unity in Port Townsend planning for Sunday services

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Place of Peace”… Continue reading

Photo by John McNutt
The grave of Thomas and Lida Trumbull.
BACK WHEN: Stories hidden among the sea of graves

MOST OF US have visited a cemetery. Often it’s to put something… Continue reading

Keith Ross/Keith’s Frame of Mind
This year’s Honored Pioneers for the 130th Sequim Irrigation Festival, include, from left, Hazel Messenger Lowe, Tim Wheeler, Betty Ellis Kettel and Janet Ellis Duncan.
Honored Pioneers chosen for 130th Irrigation Festival

Four selected to participate in events

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Violet Morris, 9, of Port Angeles climbs on "The Rocktopus," a steel, rock and masonry sculpture on Friday  at Port Angeles City Pier. The sculpture was originally designed by artist Oliver Strong as a topiary creation, but was later reworked with stone and mortar by artist Maureen Wall with support from Soroptimist International Port Angeles Jet Set, the City of Port Angeles and the Girl Scouts.
Tentacle tango

Violet Morris, 9, of Port Angeles climbs on “The Rocktopus,” a steel,… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: A few degrees can bee all the difference

I AM SO glad we had several frosts the last 10 days… Continue reading

Doug Benecke will present “Peace Talks” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Benecke is the guest speaker at Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle Ave. Benecke will be joined by his wife, Sallie Harrison, for special music.
Program set for weekend service

Doug Benecke will present “Mission Empath-able” at 10:30 a.m.… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: ‘That fox’ and the journey to Jerusalem

Author’s Note: This column was first preached as a sermon at the… Continue reading