APRIL 2024 ARTBEAT

ARTBE T

WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INCLUDED

SPRING IS THE TIME TO GROW AND EVOLVE

BY MEG KAPPLER NCW ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NCW Arts has been showered with love this spring! We are excited to claim and name our various “creative cousins” as we continue to partner with a range of organizations. It’s a big family for which we have lots of affection and appreciation.

First, we want to thank our member artists, donors and all who attended our fundraiser in March. Our community of artists and arts supporters is growing and evolving every day. At that event, we rolled out membership levels so folks can more easily get involved and support our mission to uplift and connect artists and communities throughout North Central Washington.

A huge thank you and shout out to our newest VISIONARY level donors ($500 and up):

ON THE COVER:

“Rouge Poppies” by Marnie Lynn Simmons is one of the many paintings and

• Ashley Sinner

• Alessandra Piro

• Maren Cagle

• Jeff Anderson

• Mary Ann & Tom McNair

• Marnie Simmons

We also want to thank the Icicle Fund, one of our biggest seminal and ongoing sources for grant funding in 2024. We couldn’t do what we do without this ongoing financial support, and we are incredibly grateful.

Our creative family extends to state agencies, too. One particular project directly impacts our rural, Indigenous and Latinx youth right here. NCW Arts has been working with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) since the fall of 2023 to facilitate the Explore Career Connect (ECC) program. That’s a pilot project to create educational pathways for youth in NCW to learn about and engage in mentorship opportunities in the broad field of the Arts.

We are developing “asset mapping” for the arts opportunities that already exist in the region and designing an annual culminating event where participating students can meet with mentors and experts in a variety of arts occupations. Along with Colville Tribal members, educators from the Paschal Sherman Indian School, local Latinx artists and educators and other regional arts leaders, NCW Arts is proud to be a key partner in this work.

We’re glad to be part of a big and growing arts family!

graphic designs by the inaugural Featured Artist of NCW Arts. See story on Page 6 of this issue of ArtBeat. Monthly Magazine

APRIL IS POETRY MONTH

We’re sharing a spring-y poem written by Malaga resident Susan Sampson. A retired attorney and an eager, early-season gardener, she volunteers her literary labor with the Write On The River Writers Competition and the Shrub Steppe Poetry Journal.

Goldfinch

I planned to putter in my garden, to pull a weed here and there, to trim a few frost-bitten twigs. Instead, I came across a goldfinch in glorious breeding color perched on the hanging feeder his head tilted back his throat throbbing with his loud, vociferous chirp. He was so splendid I couldn’t disturb him I backed away and left him to his perfect show-off moment.

FEATURED EVENT ‘TAEMONG: MOTHER’S DREAM’

at Central Washington University and will also reference images of Im’s past and present art. Her sculptural installations have been seen in South Korea, Georgia, Texas and Californian in group and solo exhibitions.

The current show in Wenatchee features pieces of bodies fragmented in space but bound together by a network of fragile threads, expressing her themes of connectedness, intimacy, and isolation. Im also explores the Korean phenomenon of taemong, where a woman’s pregnancy is foretold through dreams.

Co-editors: Mike Irwin & Susan Lagsdin

Design: Ron Evans

NCWArts.org | arts@ncwarts.org

Intimate reflections and revealing origins – that’s what to expect when sculptor Kyung Hee “Kate” Im discusses her evocative work, currently at Wenatchee Valley College’s MAC Gallery, in a public conversation with art historian Dr. Erika Paizan. Both are professors

In March, “Taemong: A Mother’s Dream” was featured at Wenatchee’s First Fridays Arts Walk and continues through April. The Artist’s Talk is 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the MAC Grove Recital Hall, Wenatchee Valley College, 1500 Fifth St.

ON THE UPBEAT: ‘naqs, ʔasíl, kaʔxís. incá iskʷíst

BY KRIS LAHD

Colville Native hip-hop artist Jamerson Cheer opens up about his musical beginnings, storytelling and how he’s inspiring the youth of his community through his nonprofit Healing Star Foundation.

Where are you from and how did you get into hip-hop?

I’m from the Colville Reservation on the east side of Omak, Washington. I started doing music back in 2006. Hiphop grew on me, I really didn’t expect it to because back then it was just rap battling. We’d hit the scenes all over, battling with different people in parking lots — there was no set structure. We’d play beats from car speakers. People really grabbed onto it. I ended up starting the group Rezloyal with a friend from the Yakima Reservation and we recorded an album in a week. People liked it. We hit the stage with some big names: Redbone, E-40, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and TPain. In 2014, we won the West Coast American Indian Music Peoples’ Choice Award.

Currently you run the Native HipHop Northwest organization, can you also tell me about your new Healing Star Foundation?

Healing Star Foundation is a non-

profit. Its mission is “To preserve Native/Indigenous culture/traditions and language through all art forms. Physical, spiritual and mental health are the cornerstones of this foundation.” We are teaching kids how to write lyrics in our language, Nsəlxcin, and the rhythm of the syllables. We are mixing in drum beats, prayers, rock, rhythm and hip-hop. We have art contests in the schools. It’s about coming together to show the youth you can still be who you are in this way. It’s the new medicine. Having teachers who speak the language and know how to draw, paint, sculpt, tattoo, ride horses, can bring these experiences to the youth. I tell them this is your time to document your story. Once you put this down, it’s forever there, it’s documented, they can’t take that from you. This is your time to have a voice, so what do you want to say?

Was it difficult bringing your message to the Elders?

Oh yeah, I’m coming to them with some new medicine that’s going to help our youth in ways that some of the old ways can’t reach. There were a lot of things I had to learn the hard way that I don’t recommend. I actually died from alcoholism nine years ago. I’ve been sober since that happened. I used music to heal. A lot of youth have been hurt, broken and damaged. I’m talking about the Native people in my community. When a child

Jamerson’

walks in with the rag on their head and the hood up, the Elders get after them. What I’m trying to get the Elders to see is for that child, that’s their comfort blanket, but they don’t understand why they are that way. By finding something like music that talks to them, they take the rag off, they put the hood down and they pick up the eagle feather and finally want to identify themselves as Native. It’s a different time, a different generation.

What is your favorite lyric line you’ve written?

naqs, ʔasíl, kaʔxís. incá iskʷíst Jamerson (One, two, three. My name is Jamerson!) That was on our first album and I didn’t know how much of an impact that line would have. An Elder came up to shake my hand and say “Thank you.” For me it was cool that I was on there [the album] representing myself and who I am as a Native person, but I was also representing them and they got to own that too. We had something of our land and they heard our language. Having to take on that responsibility and what it meant to the Elders was something I didn’t understand at that time. Back then it was more for the money and fame, but I’m older now.

What’s been your latest musical inspiration?

This last song I recorded is called “Until the Storm’s End.” In the winter times I had seen an image of the buffalo as it rides into the storm. It shortens the storm by going headfirst into it. I got inspired watching those buffalo do that and it’s like what I face here. It’s like me, the guy riding into the storm. I’m going to reach the storm’s end anyway, so if I just ride into it, I shorten the storm. That’s what the buffalo do.

You can find music by Jamerson Cheer and Rezloyal on Youtube, Spotify and Bandcamp.

Upcoming Shows & Events

April 6 — 647 2nd Ave S, Okanogan

May 17-19 — Okanogan Barter Fair, Tonasket

May 24 — Sunflower Festival (Native Hip-Hop Northwest Booth), Paschal Sherman High School, Omak

R.U. ARTSMART

QUIZ

(Who are these local artists? Initials are given; see the answers below.)

1. (R.R. ) The former director of Wenatchee High School’s awardwinning Mariachi Huenachi ensemble, he introduced a wealth of authentic Hispanic music to musicians and audiences.

2. (C.R.) This local actor was especially busy in 2023 with her lead roles in both Pride and Prejudice at the Snowy Owl Theater and An Inspector Calls at Music Theater of Wenatchee.

3. (A. H.) With a standup comedy background of his own, this program director books well-known comics, plus a year of other entertainment, for the Numerica Performing Arts Center.

4. (C.N.) An award-winning poet and essayist, this Leavenworth woman’s work is published in literary journals, anthologies, her chapbooks and a full-length book of poetry, Flight Path

5. (M.C.) This multitalented potter is president of Plain’s Gruenwald Guild. His play Angel on a 50th Birthday, a “fictional memoir” about the relative value of art, debuted last September.

6. (J.T.) This prolific watercolor artist helped found Wenatchee’s nonprofit Two Rivers Art Gallery in 2008. He works with volunteers managing exhibitions for the 100plus members.

ANSWERS: 1. Ramon Rivera

2. Caroline Rensel 3. Alex Haley

4. Cynthia Neely 5. Michael Caemmerer 6. Jan Theriault

Jamerson Cheer

painting. Exhibition runs through May 26. Refreshments available.

APRIL 2024 ARTS

8. Ground Control 5-10 PM Danielle Dybowski, mixed-media artist. Progressive Paint Party led by local artist, Hannah Hein. No artistic experience necessary.

1. MAC Gallery 5-7 PM “Taemong: Mother’s Dream,” Kyung Hee Im, sculpture and installationbased pieces. Exhibition runs through April 26. Artist’s Talk 5-6 p.m. WVC MAC Grove Recital Hall.

9. Epoch 5-11 PM Michael Lee Miller, lino prints. $2 off any House Cocktail all day long.

2. Wells House 5-7 PM Michelle Li Murphy, live silk painting demonstrations. Free admission to tour the Wells House.

10. Bellas Artes Import 5-7 PM Indigenous Textiles Gallery. A new designer’s collection featuring more than 15 weaving and embroidery techniques. Food by Chef Katie Selasco, wine by Armour Wines.

3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 5-7 PM Ceramic Cider Friday, group exhibit. Beer from Bad Batch Brewing Co. Wenatchee First Fridays maps and information available at NCW Arts Alliance table.

11. Pybus Art Alley 5-7 PM

The artwork of Robert Wilson, curated by Carla Wilson. Darnell Scott, live music. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation. Exhibition runs through April 30.

4. Lemolo Café & Deli 4-6 PM Jan Cook Mack, artist. Exhibition runs through May 4.

12. Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center 4-8 PM Open Console Night on the organ at the Museum. Live demonstration by organ crew member. Light refreshments provided. Free admission.

5. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Tina Reeve Tharp, painter. Mike Bills, guitarist. Local wines. Exhibition runs through April 27.

6. Watercore Cider 6-8 PM Full Steam, live music with opening act, Conor Delany.

7. Mela 5-8 PM Barry Kling, B/W Photography and Sumi

6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off. Dine in only when you

1. Hilton Garden Inn 5-10 PM $2 off selected wine glass

Dine in only when you mention First Friday.

7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.

8. Norwood Wine Bar 4-10 PM $2 off glass pours.

First 25 people to mention First Friday get a free Tick Key. One per household. pours.

2. Horan Estates Winery 3-7 PM $2 off glass pours.

3. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.

4. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.

5. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM One glass of red or white wine for $6.

SHOP DOWNTOWN

“Sneak Peek” at our new space. 10% off everything in the store.

4. Firehouse Pet Shop 10:00 AM-6:30 PM

1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours

2. The Original Children’s Shop 5-7 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.

3. Woody’s Classic Man 3-7 PM

WENATCHEEFIRSTFRIDAYS.COM

NCW ARTS FEATURED ARTIST: MARNIE SIMMONS BUCKLING DOWN AND BRANCHING OUT

“Black

by Marnie Simmons

Marnie Simmons can’t remember when she wasn’t making all kinds of art. She painted in Bellingham through grade school, high school and Whatcom Community College and for the last 20 years in East Wenatchee. Whenever she can catch a class, she studies hard — not a self-taught artist, but one who is eager to learn from others.

Her father had always encouraged her talents, and his death in 2018 spurred her, she said, “To re-think what is important. It pushed me forward into a new direction in art that feels right.” What “felt right” was getting serious.

Since then, Marnie has developed a three-part professional art career, juggling projects from $8 stickers to multithousand-dollar murals. Her traditional, framed art is created with watercolor and ink and “dabbling in digital,” mostly stylized depictions of flora and fauna that reflect her love of nature. She’s exhibited those at Wenatchee’s Two Rivers Art Gallery and The Confluence Gallery in Twisp.

Marnie also offers her original designs online for print-on-demand gifts and promotional items. At present, that’s everything from cards and apparel to tote bags, stickers and wine coolers, with hats and coffee mugs a distinct possibility. Her latest big endeavor? After an inspiring class with instructor Marlin Peterson at Wenatchee Valley College that led to working on four installations at the col-

lege, she’s starting on mural commissions for the Ellensburg water tower and a private garden wall.

Sometimes her work overlaps, and she’s ready to switch gears. “I showed twelve small butterfly paintings in The Confluence Gallery’s ‘Small Works’ show,” Marnie said, “and one was so popular I decided to make it available as an acrylic keychain.”

At 44, Marnie has found her place in the larger art world and in her community. She’s also found her place at home, where she’s commandeered the big dining table for her multiple art projects (with a smaller nook happily suiting her family of four). Commissions, gallery hopefuls, digital projects, good ideas and works in progress sit side-by-side with inks and paints. “The walls are lined with my boxes of supplies,” she said, “so I can move stuff out if we have company.”

“Someday,” she said wistfully, “I’m going to move one of those little portable structures onto the back lawn for an art studio.” Until then, she’ll make do and make a career of it, using all the resources she can muster to share her creativity with the world

Check out this artist’s website at marnielynnsart.com or Instagram @marnielynnsart.

SIMMONS FINDS COMMUNITY CONNECTION IN NCW ARTS’ ARTIST INDEX

Marnie Simmons (see related story) has been selected by NCW Arts to design its 2024 collectible merchandise. Soon, you’ll see her visual artwork on stickers, tshirts and window clings for retail businesses, all aimed at raising arts awareness and support in the region. The group’s plan is to choose one artist each year from the Artist Index in order to feature regional member artists and spread the word about NCW Arts’ mission, projects and accomplish-

ments.

There’s a backstory here.

Marnie said that at first it was only a rumor: an ambitious new organization in Wenatchee wanted, among other things, to draw together artists who didn’t know that all the others existed. She yearned for community connection, so a year ago she finally scrolled through the NCW Arts website — and what to her wondering eyes did appear but an index of artists, all working right here!

Posting her bio, work samples and contact info took just minutes, faster and simpler than the social media and online platforms she’d been using for years. And, when the members of the NCW Arts board went searching for a potential “Featured Artist” in the index, Marnie fit their criteria. They phoned her and she said yes. And the rest is ... artistry.

Bird”

ARTBIZ FULL PLATE, EMPTY STUDIO?

By Lindsay Breidenthal, NCW Arts board member

It’sthe season of emergence, when all of the energy I’ve been using just to stay warm is ready to unfurl and turn towards the light. Springtime can feel like a merry-go-round picking up speed, and all I can do is hang on while the hounds of overcommitment nip at my heels.

As a social animal, I can’t resist the hum of routine activity. But as an artist, I have to be aware of it chipping away at my studio time. Family and social connection, other jobs and domestic duties are all part of life, but I often inflate the importance of my participation in these roles. (If you’re lucky enough to have someone who will point out this martyr complex when you start to self-sabotage, look them in the eye and thank them.)

Maybe death by merry-go-round can be avoided by surrounding ourselves with people who get us and understand why we create. Since we’re not all born into this kind of support system, it needs to be cultivated. My involvement on the board of NCW Arts presents responsibility and social situations I would’ve backed away from a couple of years ago. Stepping into new territory with people who see the world a little differently fortifies my resolve to take more chances and get my work out there. It might sound contradictory to admit to self-sabotage by over- committing while also claiming the benefits of more participation, but the effort spent nurturing the health of a community that sustains us is never wasted and never in vain.

Sometimes nurturing an arts community means the solitary act of writing, composing, weaving, painting, etc. But sometimes this just looks like showing up and connecting with people.

It is our job as artists to remind others what it is to be human in this world by sharing our work. We have the privilege of communicating with sound, story, movement, line and color — utilizing a language that exists outside of logic, reason and linear time.

It’s easy to recognize the value of being there for a friend in need, cleaning up the house or waiting tables, but when a language is lost, so are the stories.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY CONTEST OPEN TO TEEN FICTION WRITERS

Are they always dreaming up stories? They can’t stop with the words words words? Tell the teen writers in your family or your circle of friends about the annual High School Writers Competition. Online submission is still open for a complete short story or the first chapter of a novel. There is no entry fee, and the three winners will share $200 in cash prizes.

Anyone currently enrolled as a 9-12th grader in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant and Ferry counties is eligible to submit their work, and that includes privately or

home-schooled students as well as those in Running Start. Write on the River is partnering with North Central Libraries for the 13th annual competition, which was initiated to encourage local teen writers by New York Times best-selling thriller author Chelsea Cain.

Submissions will be accepted until April 15. For guidelines and online entry, go to ncwlibraries.org or to writeontheriver.org

“Engine,” oil on board, by Lindsay Breidenthal.