ARTBE T
PHOTOS WITHOUT A CAMERA From ‘Sanctuary’ by artist Linda Lyons this month at WVC’s MAC Gallery
WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INCLUDED
THE 2024 MEMBERSHIP
DRIVE IS LIVE!
BY MEG KAPPLER NCW ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In a world of shrinking attention spans, artists often juggle multiple jobs while navigating branding and marketing. They constantly put their souls on display to make a living, grow and find their community. Wouldn’t it be amazing if they didn’t have to do it all alone?
That’s why the NCW Arts Alliance exists.
And NCW Arts only exists thanks to the support of devoted arts lovers and practitioners like yourself. That’s why we launched the first official NCW Arts Membership Drive — so you can join us in supporting this important work in our region.
What impact can you make?
We know this work is having an impact when we hear stories from our community. Like the new local coffee shop that came to NCW Arts Alliance in search of an artist to showcase on their walls. We pulled up our online Artist Index and instantly the business owner found a local artist whose work matched the vibe they were looking for.
This collaboration not only brought more customers to the blossoming café but provided the artist a place to show-
case their talent and connect with the community. Several of those pieces sold, helping to provide a livelihood for the artist, while others have since become regular fixtures — as has the artist, who is now an employee leading the curation of other artists to feature from the Artist Index!
Stories like these remind us how creating a resource hub for the Arts can bring people together in unexpected ways, fostering belonging and shared experience.
Become a member ...
... and invest in keeping these opportunities alive and thriving – starting at just $25. (If you are a philanthropist, please make NCW Arts your favorite nonprofit.) Your gift directly benefits our regional arts community and comes with benefits. For:
$2,000 a month, we can continue featuring local artists and Arts issues in ArtBeat.
$1,000 a month covers the cost of the First Fridays walking map.
TO JOIN!
$250 a month keeps the Artist Index growing.
$25 a month keeps NCW Arts’ digital newsletters coming in both English and Spanish directly to inboxes throughout the region.
PLUS, join today and your donation will be matched!
Our board of directors is proud to have established 100 percent board giving as an organizational value AND has pledged to match all contributions (up to $2,500) through the end of September. This matching gift will double the impact of your support!
It could be that the next Van Gogh, Dickinson, Bach or even American Idol winner is already on the Artist Index. And it could be your membership pledge that connects their talent with the world.
To become a member or build upon your current membership, visit our website at ncwarts.org
R.U. ARTSMART about NCW Arts? QUIZ
(Who are these local artists? Initials are given; see answers below.)
1. (N.P.) The tech assistant at WVC’s art department, he’s invented his own fabric design app.
2. (K.K.) Formerly the Wenatchee Valley Museum’s curator, she’s known for public art projects.
3. (R.G.) This instructor and abstract artist (1929-2013) opened Gallery 76 on the WVC campus.
4. (M.V.) A lifelong violinist, she serves as the Wenatchee Valley Symphony’s concertmaster.
5. ( S.J.) This Native American spoken word artist frequents local open mics with his poetic raps.
Mike Irwin & Susan Lagsdin
Ron Evans
ON THE COVER:
This detail of “Untitled (Columbia River 7.24.24)” by Wenatchee Valley College photography instructor Linda Lyons is part of her new exhibit — “Sanctuary” — running Sept. 6 to Oct. 25, at the WVC MAC Gallery. Lyons uses a non-camera
photo process to create abstractions that echo and pay homage to the natural elements of nearby wilderness sanctuaries. A First Fridays opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6. To learn more, go to wvc.edu/academics/art/macgallery.html.
ANSWERS:1. Nik Penny 2. Kasey Koski 3. Robert Graves 4. Michelle Vaughn
5. Sewhilkin Jimmy
SCAN
ON THE UPBEAT: CELTIC, FOLK & AMERICANA
BY KRIS LAHD
Local veteran singer-songwriter and performer Erin McNamee has graced North Central Washington with her Celtic hippy-witch musical stylings since the early 2000s. Formally trained while in the Seattle Girls Choir, she later attended and graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, which led her to recording albums and performing around the region, both solo and with bands. Today she finds great peace in her life as a professional musician performing regularly and running a successful music lesson business called Siren Studios, forged in 2003.
When did you know you were a musician?
I sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in preschool at age four. The Wizard of Oz was my favorite movie. We had a VHS tape of it recorded off the TV — bootleg style — so I watched it over and over. I started piano at age five. At age 10, I started singing in the Seattle Girls Choir. Then I picked up the guitar at 13 because it was one of the most portable instruments. I started writing songs at 15, but didn’t have much confidence at that point. I was very interested in learning as many cover songs as I could, though. At about 17 years old, I started singing in cafés with my guitar. Then the paid gigs started coming.
How do you describe your musical style, and when did you start coming into your own with it?
Some of it came from being trained in
the Seattle Girls Choir. We did a lot of straight-tone singing, which means very little vibrato. Then I started getting really into Celtic music. So I would say my style is Celtic meets Fleetwood Mac meets Grateful Dead.
Your third album has been in the works since 2012. That’s a long time ago. What’s held up the process?
Yes, I started recording it in 2012. I was married at the time, and we lost seven close friends to untimely deaths in a very short time span. The Stevens Pass avalanche was the beginning of it. My marriage couldn’t survive the grief.
I took to drinking heavily. I really got bogged down with alcohol, and I stopped being interested in recording. I stopped having faith in my writing ability. It really took me down and actually almost killed me. Alcohol and grief don’t mix.
I had to move away to get help and save my own life. I got my act together, but it did take a while. Today things couldn’t be better. Business is booming. I’m teaching. I’m gigging. I’m three and a half years sober and completing my third album.
Who are three artists we should be listening to?
Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and, of course, Pink Floyd.
SPEED ROUND
Martin or Taylor guitars? Taylor
Stevie Nicks or Christine McVie?
Stevie Cats or Birds? Cats
Stevens Pass or Mission Ridge?
Stevens
Linda Ronstadt or Ricki Lee Jones?
Linda
Find Erin performing solo and with the Pink Floyd tribute band, Artemidorus, around Central and Western Washington. Make sure you take her up on it when she asks for requests. She’ll surprise you!
UPCOMING SHOWS
Sept. 3, Icicle Brewing, Leavenworth, 6 p.m.
Sept. 5., South Fork, North Bend, 6 p.m.
Sept. 7, Stevens Pass, 2 p.m.
Sept. 8, West Seattle Brewing, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13, Patterson Cellars, Woodinville, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20, The Repp, Snohomish, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 28, Squirrel Tree, Leavenworth, 7 p.m.
FEATURED EVENT: ROOTS: INDIGENOUS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Colville Tribes in Okanogan County present for their second year a day-long outdoor music festival showcasing both traditional and contemporary performers. Toptier groups from around the west will represent Yankton Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Choctaw, Navajo tribes and more.
The Roots event director Josh Allenby said, “We’re breaking up stereotypes. We want to show people, particularly the Native kids, that as a musician you can go beyond the drum circle. You can be a rocker, a rapper or a blues singer and still honor your culture.” Several vendors will offer authentic silversmithing, leatherwork and beading to festival goers, and food and kids activities are avail-
able all day. Allenby emphasized that dancing is encouraged.
Mylo Smith, a Crow Creek Sioux from South Dakota who calls himself a Sober Native Comedian, travels the country professionally as a motivational speaker and a powwow emcee. He’ll be the moderator for the mainstage musicians. Throughout the day, groups will perform a variety of blended genres: Indigenous Elvis, Country Western, Pow Wow Punk Rock, Soul and Rhythm & Blues.
ROOTS INDIGENOUS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, at 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel, 28968 Highway 97 (just south of Omak). Admission is free for all ages.
Erin McNamee
7. Ground Control 5-11 PM Scandinative, artist, multimedia. 8. Epoch 4-10 PM Jexartistry, artist, neon/ black light paintings. 9. Bellas Artes Imports 3-7 PM “The Huipil Gallery,” featuring Jalapa de Diaz, Mixteco, Amuzgo.
1. MAC Gallery 5-7 PM “Sanctuary,” Linda Lyons, cameraless photographic works. 2. Wells House 5-7 PM Free guided tours with expert docents. Wine and beer available for purchase.
10. Pybus Art Alley 5-7 PM Tierra Village and All of Creation, artists. Violet Sterling, musician. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation. 11. Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center 4-8 PM Jazz Jam Quintet. Free admission. Beverages for sale, complimentary light refreshments.
3. LynnArt Gardens 4-7 PM “Flowers” group show featuring 9 local artists. Complimentary food and beverage. 4. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 5-7 PM Mystic North, jewelry. Navarre Coulee Winery. Wenatchee First Fridays maps available.
5. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Marisa Moritz, artist. Pat Thompson and Glenn Isaacson, musicians. Local wines. 6. Mela 5-8 PM “Callas, Garden Spirits, Amor de Madres,” Martha Flores, artist. Good Cause Coaster Art Project making session.
7. Owl Soda Fountain & Gifts 4-8 PM Cheeseburger Special, includes chips and 16 oz milkshake for $13.
1. Horan Estates Winery 3-7 PM $2 off glass pours. 2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
8. Norwood Wine Bar 5-10 PM $2 off glass pours. 9. South @ Pybus 5-10 PM Featured drink, Orozco Rebellion, in honor of Jose Clemente Orozco,
3. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail. 4. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Appetizers and wine specials.
Garden Inn 5-10 PM $2 off Pink Panther Lemonade Slushies and wine pours when you mention First Fridays.
5. Steam Panda 4-9 PM Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
6. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
SHOP DOWNTOWN
3. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays. 4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours 2. Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
THE BEAT GOES ON AT SUNBANKS MUSIC FESTIVALS
We’re really stuck out in the middle of nowhere,” said Sunbanks Resort general manager Jerry Jones. As he described it, “Electric City is basically in the desert, so people are always surprised that it’s so nice here.” But Jones, who’s also a local resident, isn’t at all surprised when the popular resort, hidden in plain sight, is booked solid far in advance at least three times a year.
The big draw is the Sunbanks Music Festivals, a series of four-day events that fill the resort grounds. A combination of blues and country kicked off the season this past May. Next up, Sept. 5-8, will be the Blues & Roots Festival, named eight times “Best Music Festival in the State” by the Washington Blues Society. The very next weekend, Sept. 12-15, the Sunbanks Rocks! Festival features a lineup packed with well-known tribute bands.
Billy Snoops, a musician himself as well as an event organizer, has brought the Sunbanks festivals to North Central Washington for over two decades with the help of his singer-songwriter partner Leanne Trevalyan. From Tacoma, they’ve played in Wenatchee with his band Junkyard Jane, and this year he’s on the Sunbanks festival program with Dirt Angels.
He’s enthusiastic about the star-studded lineup and the venue itself. In recent years, the management has focused on grounds-keeping and hospitality, and Snoops said, “They’re knockin’ it out of the park.”
Less than two hours northeast of Wenatchee, this unexpectedly green, lush venue on the shore of Banks Lake has attracted trailer and tent travelers for
50 years since the enterprise was first carved out of rocky sage land. In 1993, the owner started steadily adding amenities: 50 rentable units to augment the RV facilities, a marina, restaurant and bar, mini golf and a swimming beach.
Oft-returning regulars at the Sunbanks Music Festivals have helped create a tangible friends-and-family vibe on the resort grounds. “Everybody’s smiling, and they’re geared up to help out everyone else,” said Snoops. “Several people who’ve met here have become friends for life. And even with the big names, there’s no feeling of ‘them’ and ‘us’ – the musicians are right here in the middle of everything.”
Sunbanks Blues & Roots Festival will come alive with the sound of blues groups from Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Northwest natives like Curtis Salgado and Too Slim and the Taildraggers. A few notables from the Sunbanks Rock! lineup are Washington rockers Heart By Heart, Randy Hansen, Gimme Shelter and Hell’s Belles.
Around 850 people are expected for the Blues & Roots weekend, maybe slightly fewer for the Rocks! weekend, which is only in its second year. Some longtime fans, Snoops said, “just show up without even seeing the program,” confident the music will be good every time, whether it’s tribute music or original songs. “The whole weekend is like a big backyard party.”
Sunbanks Blues & Roots Festival, Sept. 5-8. Sunbanks Rocks! Festival, Sept. 12-15. 57662 Highway 155 Electric City. Age 21 and over. One day $50, four-day pass $150. For more information, go to sunbanksfestival.com
Billy Stoops
Sunbanks Festival stage.
ARTBIZ ARE YOU ARTISTS ‘REALLY’ WORKING?
by jamie howell
“That ain’t working. That’s the way you do it. Lemme tell ya, them guys ain’t dumb Maybe get a blister on your little finger Maybe get a blister on your thumb” — Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing”
Iam not a clock puncher.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not a hard worker. It just doesn’t always look like it. And that, in turn, doesn’t always meet with the approval of my clock-punching peers.
One problem many artists share is that the creative workday doesn’t always match up with the socially accepted Standard Work Day. This is only exacerbated by the fact that significant (and mandatory) portions of the creative process tend to look like anything but work.
Once upon a time I had a highly effective business partner who happened to place a good deal more stock in the time clock than I did. That difference in perceptions generated more than a little friction over the course of our years working together. I mean, he was there at 8 a.m. sharp. Where the chickity-China was I?
I don’t know. Sauntering along the riverfront perhaps? Lost in a good book on my porch? Or maybe I’d already gone back to bed, having exhausted myself with a spate of inspiration in the wee hours.
But even though it might have looked like I was just mixing up a leisurely marinade for the evening’s carne asada while
the morning commuters were out there jockeying for position, running reds and flipping birds in hopes of appeasing those judgmental time clocks standing guard at every entrance, I was actually hard at work, too.
Thinking. Or, more accurately, actively NOT thinking. It’s a stage of the creative process I refer to as the “rock tumbler.”
Into my gray matter, I toss large, unorganized clods of research, free associations off cocktail napkins, dream interpretations, maybe a podcast or two — whatever the raw materials might be — and then, I wait.
I wait for the ideas to churn in my unconscious mind, in that mysterious place where new connections are made. I wait in hopes that a gem will emerge, something shiny I can really work with. Often all that comes out is a fistful of dirt clods, which only means it’s time to rustle up some fresh raw materials, toss them into the rock tumbler and wait some more.
There are other names for it — “incubation” in the classical model of the creative process; “mental mastication” spurring “involuntary mind events” and “serendipitous alignments”; the Muse.
The trouble is, waiting for the Muse almost never looks like work. On the contrary, it looks an awful lot like shirking work. But anyone who endeavors to make a living by coming up with and executing new ideas knows full well that this is not a step to be skipped.
And when it finally comes time to buckle down and actually create something, by what logic do we corral creativ-
ity into eight-hour segments beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays?
I write best between 5 a.m. and noon. That’s just me. My wife is a night painter, standing at the easel long after I’m tucked in. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin takes 6 to 8
showers a day when he’s writing. Imagine that on a union shift schedule.
Some days I’ve got creative steam enough for 12 hours straight. Others, I can barely eke out two. That’s when the 40-hour-a-week crowd starts frowning at you. Take those frowns to heart and you’re well on your way to the dreaded next phase — crippling creative guilt.
Artists work, and many work unbelievably hard. Nothing of artistic value is created without work being involved. Nonartists, on the other hand, should not be expected to understand the bizarre machinations of the creative process any more than I should know how to professionally install microwave ovens.
I don’t often encourage this because it can prove distressing. But if you run the calculation in dollars per hour, including all the hours of preparation and cogitation, you’ll see it plainly — when it comes to the Arts, there’s no such thing as “Money for Nothing.”
Jamie Howell, owner of Howell at the Moon Productions, only punches clocks when their alarms go off prematurely.
