JULY 2026 ARTBEAT

ARTBEAT ART BEAT THE COMET

JULY 2026

WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INSIDE

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ARTBEAT

A monthly publication by NCW Arts Alliance and The Comet

Publisher: Ron Evans Contributors: Callie Baker, Meg Sanders, Jamie Howell NCW Arts - Elevating the Arts in North Central Washington

ON THE COVER:

Sasha Fair painting in the great outdoors over the Wenatchee Valley photo by Tyler Hale. Story on pg. 3

NCW ARTS TO HOST MUSICBOX AT

WAREHOUSE 3 ON AUGUST 7TH by jamie howell

MusicBox Lineup Announced

fter the success of ArtBox, the visual arts extravaganza back in December, the NCW Arts Alliance is back with another art-filled public event, this one is music and dance focused.

Friday, Aug. 7, from 3 to 10 pm, Warehouse 3 located on the alley at 201 South Wenatchee Avenue will be converted into a multi-stage music festival featuring more than a dozen local and regional musical acts, dance presentations, visual arts exhibits, food and fun.

Warehouse 3 currently houses a variety of art studios and music practice spaces.

“The idea is to introduce the public to yet another of our hidden arts gems in Warehouse 3, and showcase a wide range of incredible local musicians all while raising money to support the local creative economy,” said NCW Arts President Jamie Howell.

Tickets to the all ages event are available online right now at ncwARTS.org/ musicbox for $15 ($10 for youth under 18). Prices will be $5 more at the door.

The acts featured on the KOHO Morning Run Outdoor Stage include: 3:30pm Sumguy 4:30pm Umami Dearest 6:00pm 23rd Street 7:30pm Star Anna 9:00pm Timely Tragedy

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On the indoor stage the lineup includes: 4:00pm Wide Eyes 5:15pm Forest Ray 6:45pm Deep Green Sea 8:00pm Valley Boyz 9:30pm Defiant There will also be a Members Only Lounge stage featuring solo and duo acts.

Access requires an active NCW Arts membership. These will be available for purchase at the event.

NCW Arts Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the creative economy and connecting artists and communities throughout North Central Washington. To find out more and purchase your tickets, visit ncwARTS.org.

Star Anna

Timely Tragedy

Umami Dearest

Valley Boyz

23rd Street

Forest Ray

Deep Green Sea

Sumguy

Defiant

Wide Eyes

OUT IN PLEIN AIR

SASHA FAIR ON THE UPCOMING PAINT OUT EVENT

Wenatchee artist and plein air enthusiast, Sasha Fair - photo by Tyler Hale

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or two days this summer, downtown Wenatchee will become one big outdoor art studio. During Sidewalk Stories Artists from around the region will set up their easels on sidewalks, street corners and storefronts, capturing the city as they see it while the public watches the paintings come to life. ArtBeat caught up with Wenatchee artist Sasha Fair to talk about the longtime tradition of plein air painting, what makes creating outdoors so rewarding, and how anyone can get involved.

What can you tell us about this plein air event? And any history of this practice both local and as a longtime creative element.

This year’s event is called Sidewalk Stories, and I love that title because every building, storefront, and street corner has a story waiting to be noticed.

For two days, downtown Wenatchee becomes one giant outdoor art studio.

Instead of seeing paintings hanging on a gallery wall, people get to watch them being created right in front of them.

It’s funny to think that painting outdoors wasn’t really practical until

someone invented the metal paint tube.

Before 1840s, artists couldn’t simply throw an easel over their shoulder and head outside, they only were able to do sketching outside. Sometimes art history changes because of something as simple as better packaging.

The Paint Outs organized by Two Rivers Art Gallery in Wenatchee started back in 2010 with just a handful of Wenatchee painters. Sixteen years later, it’s become a regional tradition, and I’m happy to see it is growing and getting financial support from local organizations.

Painting outside seems tricky—logistically. Any tips for someone just heading out to give it a go?

I’d actually leave the paint at home the first time. Grab a simple sketchbook, a pencil, and a good eraser, then find a comfortable spot that isn’t too busy and sketch whatever catches your eye.

Don’t worry about buying fancy supplies—any piece of paper and a dollarstore BIC pencil will do just fine. The important thing is learning to observe, not collecting expensive art materials.

If you’d rather start with color, I rec-

ommend gouache or watercolor pencils.

It’s perfect for simple color studies, inexpensive and dries quickly.

I think for many locals, when we think of outdoor painting we think of Sasha Fair. Talk about what appeals to you about painting outside. When did you fall in love with the concept?

Are there any aspects in your creative process that are vastly different than in the studio?

Thank you—that’s a wonderful compliment. The funny thing is, I didn’t actually enjoy plein air painting at first.

During my years at art school in the Soviet Union, it was mandatory. Every summer our art teacher took us out for weeks to sketch and paint in parks, at the zoo, and around old cathedrals. All works were graded. Like most teenagers, I’d much rather have been hanging out with friends. My dad built me a simple wooden easel that I carried around all day, along with a sandwich for lunch.

Now I live in the beautiful Wenatchee Valley, my easel is light, folds up into a backpack, and there’s no stern art teacher breathing down my neck. I finally get

to paint outdoors because I choose to— and it turns out that’s a lot more fun.

We have long dry summers here, which also helps.

Do you ever paint from photos?

Any differences in that process than painting on site?

I do use photo references sometimes, especially for portraits, multi-figure compositions, and paintings with animals. But everything starts from life first.

For portraits, I always begin with an in-person sitting so I can sketch and do a color study directly with the person.

With horses, bison, and other animals, I go out and sketch them from life whenever possible and use photographs later as support.

It’s very important to me to actually know the subject first—to observe it with my own eyes and spend some time with it. The photograph comes later. It helps, but it never replaces that first experience.

Is there usually some kind of theme or cohesive element to this event? Are you all painting the same subject? continued on pg. 6

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ONSORS AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS

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BARRY BENBOW @ LEMOLO CAFE & DELI July at Lemolo features Barry Benbow’s whimsical, quirky artwork— elephants, and other playful scenes. His paintings are created to brighten your

day and leave you with warm, fuzzy feelings.

Reception: Friday, July 3, 3-6 pm.

On display all of July.

Past plein air event photos by Jan Theriault continued from pg. 3 Working closely together? Or just kind of doing your own thing in proximity to each other?

Yes, this year’s theme is Sidewalk Stories, but that’s really the only rule.

We all paint within the downtown Wenatchee district, yet every artist chooses something different. One might paint an old brick building, another a coffee shop patio, another reflections in a storefront window. I love the sunset time, and some artists love very early morning light. The funny thing happens year after year: my artist friend Brad Brisbine and I always seem to pick the exact same spot without talking to each other in advance. Artists do socialize with each other and make new friends during these events. I met a very interesting artist last summer from Seattle who is a scientist teaching at UW, and we became friends. One of my favorite things about plein air events is that twenty artists can stand on the same block and produce twenty completely different paintings.

a great group of artists from all over the State and at different levels and different styles. Artists do need to register at Two Rivers Art Gallery on the morning of July 31 so their canvases, panels or papers can be stamped before they begin.

Even if you don’t paint, come downtown and wander around. I encourage parents and grandparents to bring kids so the younger generation can see how art is made from scratch, so to speak.

I always bring with me extra art supplies to share with kids who stop by.

Watch the artists work, ask questions, and enjoy the process. Everyone is also invited to come to Two Rivers Art Gallery on August 1 for the closing part of the event, where the finished paintings are submitted and judged. Painting ends at noon, then judging takes place from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, followed by the Awards Presentation and Judge Henry Stinson’s feedback at 1:30 pm, which is open to the public. It’s a great moment to see all the work together and hear the judge’s perspective. Awards include Can anyone be involved? If so, how First Place $700, Second Place $500, would they do so? Can you just show Third Place $300, and two Honorable up with paints and a canvas or is Mentions of $50 each. there a signup process?

Absolutely! The event is open to evSidewalk Stories: Downtown Wenatchee eryone, from first-time painters to expe- Paint Out - July 31-Aug 1. More info at rienced professionals. Last year we had https://2riversgallery.org/2026-paintout

FIRST FRIDAYS FEATURED EVENT MAKE YOUR MARK CERAMIC AND TEXTILE ART.

POEM OF THE MONTH The Rising

By Joey Barnum

The stalling of winds in the mist the blood soaked oil rags and a bent-handled lantern lighting nothing The racing of moths in the field the horsehead-shaped clouds and a shovel for hogweed digging up nothing The un-opened umbrella on the porch the clogged rain gutters and a rusted old bike riding nowhere The sunrise below through fog of stars the spinning ascension and a realization of passage going...somewhere

Morgana of DustWeaver Handmade will be demonstrating how to spin wool into workable threads and yarn at the event.

The founders of a brand new local artists nonprofit Make Your Mark present local artists monthly, especially ceramic and textile arts. Stop by this First Friday to live demonstrations of a variety of visual arts. Live music by Jacob Shales Friday, July 3 6-10 PM at Rail Station 29 N Columbia St VISIT WENATCHEEFIRSTFRIDAYS.COM FOR MORE EVENTS