SEQUIM — Kicking off the First Friday Art Walk will be the Civic Center Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m.
The holiday tree in the lobby of the civic center at 152 W. Cedar St. is decorated with ornaments made by local fourth grade students.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to join the festivities tonight.
Refreshments will be served.
The city of Sequim and the City Arts Advisory Commission (CAAC) are sponsoring the ceremony.
The “Rocks, Gems & Jewels” art exhibit at the Civic Center will be on display from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The December First Friday Art Walk’s color theme is gold — and all that glimmers and glows, said organizer Renne Emiko Brock.
“Gold is the color of our star Sol as we celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of the sun during December,” she said.
“The impressive, shiny color of gold represents superb festivities, admiration, prosperity, rekindled optimism, kindhearted deeds and lifelong fellowships.”
The First Friday Art Walk Sequim is a free, self-guided tour of local art venues in Sequim on the First Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit www.sequimartwalk.com to download a map and find special events and links.
New venues will be seen tonight.
Among them are:
• Sequim Habitat Boutique Store, 213 E. Washington St., which will feature local artist Craig Robinson with acrylic on canvas and some painted furniture
• Evil Roy’s Elixirs Distillery, 209 S. Sequim Ave., which will host artist Tami Wall.
• The Dreamer’s Woods, 618 E. Washington St., which will offer chainsaw sculpture and a gallery of artists.
• Tracy Wealth Management, 149 W. Washington St.
Other special sites and sights on the tour are:
• That Takes the Cake, 171 W. Washington St., which will feature Molten Momma, aka Megan Schmidlkofer, and her blown glass artistry, along with the shop’s holiday themed cake artistry.
• Blue Whole Gallery, 129 W. Washington St.,will present a group show curated by Nancy Lawrence and Greg Felando with the theme, “Do you see what I see?”
The question is, “How do you perceive this art?” Visitors will be asked to share their views.
Refreshments will be served. The annual Holiday Gift Gallery, filled with unique surprises, also will be featured.
• Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., will host live music by the Tony Flaggs Band starting at 7 p.m., with award-winning wines with tidbits available. The trio plays a mixture of folk and rock.
• Sequim Museum & Arts, 175 W. Cedar St., will feature four local artists: Bev Majors, Bridget Baker, Steve Vogel and Skip Kratzer.
Their work, in a variety of mediums, will enhance the new historical display “Sequim Prairie Fire Service” that will be presented during the Art Walk.
Visitors will be treated to music, a Christmas bake sale and hot coffee. They can visit friends, see a fire truck and walk downtown to see the Christmas lights.
The Sequim Museum & Arts Center is honoring local firefighters for their commitment to the safety of Sequim.
• Rainshadow Café, 157 W. Cedar St., will host “Pour, Sip, and Paint” for a $40 fee.
Everyone will be an artist as they paint this whimsical cluster of ornaments and flock.
Visitors are urged to wear gold tones and throw gold into their masterpieces.
The fee covers cost of instruction from a local artist, painting supplies and one beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverage; a full beverage menu and food available for purchase.
Registration is required, and others are welcome to watch art in action if they are not signed up.
• Nourish, 1345 S. Sequim Ave., will host a reception for artist Iris Edey at 4 p.m.
• Peninsula Taproom, 210 W. Washington St., Suite 4 will present gold in a glass with offerings of crafted brews and treats.
• Bag Ladies of Sequim, 161 W. Washington St., will host the local artists responsible for the handcrafted works and artful up-cycled items.
• Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., will present a performance of “The Nutcracker Cracked Up,” at 5:30 p.m.
The original work created by Sequim Ballet and Olympic Theatre Arts is directed by Laurel Herrera and Tavin Dotson.
• Cedarbrook Lavender, 134½ W. Washington St., where visitors can learn how to use lavender in art and cooking, will offer handmade gifts.
• Alderwood Bistro, 139 W. Alder St., will display art by North Olympic Watercolorists members.
Artists participating in December are John Wilkinson, Carol Wilhelm, Rita Heywood, Margo Hankel, Lyn Conlan, Jim Gift, Jolene Sanborn, Marcia Barrett, Kathi Vito, Beverly Beighle, Roger Huntley and Shirley Rudolf.
Looking ahead to the next Art Walk on Jan. 7, Emiko Brock will talk about the 1960s-era mystery game created to celebrate the new year. The annual downtown whodunnit will be “The Case of the Mistaken Tin Foil Hat.”
To participate as a venue or artist on the Official First Friday Art Walk Sequim map, listing and website, contact Emiko Brock at 360-460-3023 or renne@uniqueasyou.com. For more information, see www.facebook.com/sequim artwalk.
“Home Winter” by Ken Dvorak is available to see at Blue Whole Gallery during First Friday Art Walk in Sequim.
“Little Lamb” by Priscilla Patterson will be shown during First Friday Art Walk at Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim.
“Separation” by Tami Wall will be displayed at Evil Roy’s Elixirs Distillery on Friday night in Sequim.
