FEBRUARY 2023 ARTBEAT

ARTBEAT

FIRST FRIDAYS ARTS WALK MAP INCLUDED

REGIONAL ARTS ADVOCACY AND A NEW LOGO!

By Megan Kappler

Drum roll, please….

NCW Arts Alliance has a new logo! We have been working closely with graphic designer and artist, Elena Payne, owner of Awdience Design, who has partnered with us over the past several months to help us translate our organizational values and mission into a brand new, beautiful logo!

Partnership is a strongly emerging theme for NCW Arts in 2023 as we work with several regional and statewide groups to provide advocacy and collaborative planning for the arts and cultural sector of our communities so that we can thrive and grow together.

Specifically, we are working with Inspire WA and their Inspiration League to plan and prepare for Arts, Heritage, and Science (AHS) week in Olympia early this month. We are helping to coordinate

advocates and district leaders across NCW in Legislative Districts 7, 12, and 13, which encompass all or parts of Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Grant, Kittitas, and Pend Oreille counties. In-person and virtual meetings with Representatives and Senators from each district are already scheduled during AHS week (Feb. 6-10), and we are excited to help connect community members to this kind of grassroots advocacy with our lawmakers.

In late January, we participated in the Power of Art + Culture in Tourism workshop. We were graciously hosted in Nespelem by the Colville Confederated Tribes, and it was a truly inspiring experience to participate in such inclusive and visionary planning for ways to ensure the equitable rise of local tides to lift us all up.

We are so grateful for the depth of commitment and willingness to think big from all of our regional partners. Want to partner with us? Just reach out at arts@ncwarts.org!

ON THE COVER:

FEATURED EVENT:

WHEN IN ROME

Virgil “Smoker” Marchand, passed away on January 13 at the age of 71.

A member of the Colville Tribe and an

elected representative for Omak, his art and sculptures remain scattered across the Northwest, many of them featuring Native American themes and the spiritual connection between horseman and horse in particular. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation closed their government offices for two days in his honor and memorials were held Jan. 19-20.

The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra presents the penultimate concert of its 2022-23 Season on Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m., at the Numerica Performing Arts Center. The volunteer-based orchestra, currently led by conductor Dr. Nikolas Caoile, has been a fixture in North Central

Washington since 1947. Tickets are available online at numericapac.org or at the door.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY: LEAVENWORTH SUMMER THEATER AUDITIONS

Auditions for the next season of Leavenworth Summer Theater take place this month. The semi-professional musical theater hires local, regional and national talent. All roles and positions are paid. This year’s slate includes The Sound of Music, The Drowsy Chaperone and Cinderella. While they prefer in-person auditions, video auditions are also accepted. They’re looking for musicians interested in orchestra positions, as well. Audition information can be found at leavenworthsummertheater.org

Find a complete list of opportunities for artists at ncwarts.org

SEEKING... HOSTS FOR FIRST FRIDAYS AFTER HOURS:

We’re looking for local businesses who would like to invite First Fridays Arts Walkers to come wind down their Art Walk from approximately 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. following a future First Fridays event. If you are interested in hosting the Arts community for an evening, please let us know with an email to arts@ncwARTS.org.

Salmon Chief, by Smoker Marchand. Metal sculpture located at the Beebe Springs Natural Area on Highway 97 near Chelan Falls and the Beebe Bridge (Photo by Scott Bailey).

SIDE STREET CASHMERE

TAKING PRE-APPLICATIONS FOR MAKER’S ALLEY WORKSPACES

BY LINDSAY BREIDENTHAL

Ifyou’re looking for studio or workshop space, check out what’s happening at 107 Railroad Avenue in Cashmere. This sprawling set of historic warehouses is undergoing an ambitious reincarnation, creating a mixed use block that will be home to a unique neighborhood hub of retail, art, music and food and beverage.

One facet of this project is Maker’s Alley, providing creative studios in a variety of sizes for local creators. Construction is set to start this month with an anticipated opening date of March 13th. The private studio suites, brightly lit work tables, workshop space and lounge will have 24-hour keypad entry for members. The flexibility of options for members and non-members alike is designed to be especially attractive to those who work more seasonally or on a project-by-project basis.

Owners Andy and Lanna Thompson are passionate about their vision. On their website, they note that, “We are on a mission to serve the Valley in new creative ways,” and that they are working to create, “a place to connect with one another and enjoy our wonderful community. All are welcome.”

A tour of the enormous space makes it clear how much work it will take to fully manifest their vision. The Thompsons recognize that they can’t do it all with their small but mighty crew, and are seeking broader participation and expanded ideas as the build what will ultimately become a highly collaborative effort.

Pre-applications for Maker’s Alley are already open. Check out their website at sidestreetcashmere.com for more details or reach out with inquiries to

info@sidestreetcashmere.com or (509)741-4493.

The planned layout for the Maker’s Alley area of Side Street Cashmere expected to open March 2023.

SCAN FOR DIGITAL

INTERACTIVE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP!

OFF THE HILL TO HOST FIRST FRIDAYS AFTER HOURS

AND NCW ARTS ’OFF’ICE HOURS ALL MONTH

After your Arts Walk, the place to be is OFF THE HILL at Pybus Market where they’ll be hosting the official First Fridays After Hours event from 7-9 p.m. Not only that, but for the entire month of February, Off The Hill is generously contributing 20% of sales on select bottles of wine and cider to support NCW Arts and help fund the creation of our regional artist registry! Finally, NCW Arts will be on hand every Monday night in February from 6-8 p.m. for “OFF”ice Hours to talk shop, answer questions and generally have a good time.

OFF THE HILL is a collaboration between Stemilt Creek Winery and Archibald James Wine and Cider featuring small-batch, artisan wines and ciders that are produced side-by-side on Stemilt Hill.

FIRST FRIDAYS ARTS MAP

1. MAC Gallery

Wenatchee Valley College - “Looking Forward, Reaching Back,” works from ceramicist Ruth E. Allan, 5-7 pm

2. Alano Club

Crafty Mugger, Lisa England, handmade crafts, 4-7 pm

3. Two Rivers Art Gallery

Grand re-opening, Sonia “Sonny” Ramsey, paintings; Jeannie McPherson, piano; 5-8 pm

4. Mela Carma Arington, painting, 4-7 pm

5. Tumbleweed

Katelyn Mingo, jewelry, 4-7 pm

6. Wenatchee Valley Museum

Free admission from 4-8 pm

7. Pybus Art Alley

Cyndi Noyd, paintings; music from the Saddle Rockers, 5-7 pm

Online map courtesy of the Wenatchee Downtown Association wendowntown.org