OCTOBER 2022 ARTBEAT

ARTBEAT

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK MAP INCLUDED

The NCW Arts Alliance is striving to become a hub, a conduit, a switchboard that effectively connects artists and arts organizations with each other, the public, and resources that can help them thrive. We want to help creatives de-silo and find ways to work together toward common goals—producing a rising tide that can lift all boats. Our mission is to position the Arts as a primary leader in the collective effort towards becoming a more vibrant and culturally equitable region.

The ArtBeat and our nascent website are some of our first concrete examples of our efforts to get the word out about the wealth of artists’ activities and opportunities occurring in our area.

NCW Arts has also been facilitating forums to gather arts enthusiasts to learn about our collective desires for how we can strengthen the creative economy. One of these recent sessions invited investors, artists, and business owners to participate in discussing their shared visions for potential new local arts spaces in local buildings coming up for sale. NCWArts may not be in the position to buy a building and set it up as an arts facility, but perhaps it

SEEKING...

Website designer: Arts Alliance seeks website designer for contract work! We’re looking for someone who has some experience and is looking for an opportunity to work on a fresh, creative project. Please email for more info: arts@ncwarts.org

Board treasurer: NCW Arts Alliance seeks board treasurer. If you love finances and look for opportunities to use your skills to build community and connectivity through the arts, we’d love to hear from

FEATURED EVENT PECHA KUCHA

can help in the sharing of ideas and in connecting interested parties that can work together to succeed in such an endeavor.

NCWArts supports Our Valley Our Future’s goals of long-term planning for the health of the community, and we are partnering with them to ensure a strong cultural vitality for the region as one of their focus areas for action. We agree with them that artists and arts organizations are multipliers for economic and quality of life benefits, and that, to the degree that artists thrive, the community can also thrive. We’ve been engaging with organizations such as Inspire Washington, who help communities identify funding sources and provide effective means of activism to benefit the arts in our state. It will be fantastic if providing better awareness of grants and other forms of assistance can contribute to the success of local arts organizations!

We are proud of how far we have come in such a short period of time, but we are just getting started with our advocacy. As we work to create the broadest possible coalition of members, representing all creatives and every art form across our region, don’t be surprised when we come to ask you to join the team and invest in the organization, in one form or another.

Scott Bailey is the Director of WVC’s Art Program and MAC Gallery, and is serving as the Interim President of the Board of the NCW Arts Alliance

SPACE WITHIN THE LAND

you! Please email us here: arts@ncwarts. org

Set painter and foam sculptor: Stage Kids is seeking a foam sculptor and set painter for work in October! And we are always looking to connect with those interested in teaching theater disciplines (we can provide curriculum) and/or interested in being on our production staff! For more information, email stagekidswa@gmail.com.

On The Cover: Melissa Gonzalez, performer with Wenatchee High School dance group Corazon de Mexico - WVMCC on Nov. 1st.

Pecha Kucha or, “the sound of conversation,” as it is translated into English, is also a type of formatted slide presentation for speakers. Pecha Kucha (PK) is pronounced “peh-cha-coo-cha” with the stress remaining equal on all four syllables. The format has become so popular that it has inspired Pecha Kucha Nights in over 500 cities around the world where audiences gather at bars and other public venues to watch presentations, much the same way audiences gather for karaoke. Used as format to be succinct, speakers must organize their conversation to be the length of 20 slides with 20 seconds devoted to each slide.

Constraints in this format allow the speaker to organize thoughts, enhance the slide image and keep the point brief; conversely inspiring a variety of creative output.

During October’s First Friday Art Walk, Oct. 7, 5-6:30 p.m, you will be able to experience a Pecha Kucha for yourself. Join us as we dive into the topic of, “The Space

within the Land,” a theme that relates to and expands upon the current exhibit, CHA CHA, at the MAC Gallery. The CHA CHA show is themed around conservation, history, and the arts with an emphasis on our local bioregion.

The MAC will host a variety of voices in this PK Talk, including:

Adventure mom and outdoor advocate, Chelsea Murphy Poet, naturalist, and author, Derek Sheffield Teacher and environmentalist, Jenaia Johnson

Members of Wenatchee High School’s Junior AVID class, Historian and preservationist, Community organizer & sustainable gardener, Dane Breslin

Tanner Dotzauer, and others!

Friday, Oct. 7, 5-6:30 p.m in the Grove Auditorium, Music and Art Center, Wenatchee Valley College.

AND THAT’S JUST ONE OF YOUR OPTIONS! CHECK OUT THE FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT NCWARTS.ORG

Chelsea Murphy Derek Sheffield Jenaia Johnson Tanner Dotzauer Dane Breslin

Scott Bailey

PINS & NEEDLES: TAILORS WITH A DRAMATIC FLAIR

From my stage debut as a Parrot in the living nativity in kindergarten class (not sure what the Nazarenes were thinking, but I loved it!) to sporting a large, sexy bustle over my backside

when portraying Mina in Dracula, costumes have been a huge part of my theatrical life and career. While I am not a costumer myself, I can tell you absolutely that costume designers are some of the most versatile and talented artists you will ever meet. They are the magicians of the theater world.

Costumers from an actor’s point of view: they inhabit brightly lit rooms that smell of fresh laundry and static electricity. With their shears, their measuring tapes, and kits filled with potions and notions, they

summon you forth for a fitting (or three) where they place you in front of a mirror or next to a mannequin draped with tulle, circling around you with pins in their mouths, chanting and mumbling various incantations peppered with the occasional swear, and suddenly, you have been transformed! I first heard about the new ownership of Pins & Needles custom tailoring shop from fellow local actor, T.J. Farrell, and I knew instantly that I wanted to talk with Jessica and Carl Knowles about it. After my interview with them, I still think they are magicians, but I certainly also more fully appreciate the training and dedication that has led them to this next chapter of their lives as professional tailors and local business owners. Jessica has a business degree and Carl has a degree in Theatre and Production with an emphasis in Costuming. They both grew up in central Washington and if they have a motto, it appears to be “Keep it local and collaborate” as taking on ownership of a thriving business didn’t stop them from building over 400 costumes this summer for Leavenworth Summer Theater’s 2022 season.

Because NCW Arts is fascinated with the intersection of art and commerce, we spent some time talking about the “art of fabric manipulation,” as Carl calls it. The Knowles both agreed that their approach to the business of tailoring is directly informed by their theatre training and experiences in the performing arts. Building and altering costumes for plays in a variety of different eras has helped them develop a broad skill set that is very relevant to today’s fashion trends. Carl says, “most modern fashion is informed by previous periods,” so it follows that having immersive experiences where you are required to nail the details of a certain time period helps with understanding and executing current trends.

Building on that concept, Jessica talked about the idea that if you know what you’re doing, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for quality tailoring. If you’re on stage, you must be able to breathe and move (even in a corset), but you must also look completely in character and the details do matter if you want the costumes to seamlessly (!) contribute to the tone, mood, and feel of

the play. According to Jessica, the same principles should apply in the clothes you wear on the street. It is possible to have high quality clothing that fits you well and is also highly functional and comfortable.

The Knowles plan to build on the solid reputation of Pins & Needles established by previous owner, Melinda Sinclair, and to also add their own theatrical flair whenever called for. They have retained a staff of three and are working on adding some new services to their existing daywear and bridal lines. This may include custom built clothing and costuming, bridal emergency kits for those unexpected sewing needs on your big day, and possibly even some original T-shirt designs for your bachelorette party!

You can find them on the bottom level of the Grand Central Building at 25 N. Wenatchee Ave, Suite 106. Business hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12pm to 6pm. Contact information: www.pinsandneedleswenatchee.com, 509-662-0813.

Megan Kappler

2017 cast of Chicago, costumes by Carl & Jessica Knowles (photo McKenzy Lakey)

SCAN FOR DIGITAL

INTERACTIVE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP!

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY OF THE MONTH

Applications accepted for TAT Lab Core Program until October 17

Info sessions on Oct.7 & 11 - see arts.wa.gov to register for these.

-Create more inclusive and culturally responsive learning spaces for youth.

-Level up your personal teaching practice.

-Gain tools and resources to expand your abilities as an advocate for arts education. Annual program applications are open to Washington State arts educators, teaching artists, school-based arts specialists, youth arts providers, and classroom teachers working in all artistic disciplines.

SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES, SO LITTLE TIME! FIND MORE AT NCWARTS.ORG

The Wenatchee Downtown Association is partnering up with Teams Learning Center for First Fridays! The cost is $20 per child from anytime between 5pm-8pm.

All ages up to 13 includes childcare and a pizza party while caregivers can venture downtown and experience First Fridays Downtown!

FIRST FRIDAYS ARTS MAP

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A three person show: ‘The Original Magic Triad’, Chynna Jenkins, Emily Hillburg, Lisa McDonnell. And a two person show: ‘Co:Lab’, Michael Caemmerer & Adele Little

1. MAC at Wenatchee Community College

Cha Artists in Residence & Pecha Kucha talks, 5-6:30p.m.

2. Lemolo Cafe

Dawn Krantz pastels, 4-8pm

3. Two Rivers:

Marie Alice Hurst stained glass and encaustics, 5-8pm

4. Mela Allison Lewis, 5-8pm

5. Salt Creek Apothecary

Blue Heron Quilting 5-8pm

6. Pan’s Grotto

Group show: ‘Cryptids, Creatures, Urban Legends, and Myths’

7. Ye Olde Bookshoppe Mystic North Jewelry, 4-7pm

Caemmerer

9. WVMCC

The Zoo in You, traveling OMSI exhibit

10. Pybus Art Alley

Dan McConnell, featured Musicians: Steve and Mary Sanders with Amy Edwards

11. Wenatchi Wear

1 year anniversary celebration - Art Reveal! Colville Tribal artist, Smoker Marchand ltd. ed. , framed prints will be available

Online map courtesy of the Wenatchee Downtown Association wendowntown.org