ARTBEAT
SEPTEMBER 2025
artemidorus alights
Interview with band leader Kris Lahd on page 3
IT’S TIME TO RENEW OR JOIN NCW ARTS!
NCW Arts Executive Director Callie Baker
NCW Arts Alliance is kicking off our annual Membership Drive, and we’re excited to send every renewing and new member a limited-edition sticker as a thank you for your support. But this is about a lot more than a sticker.
Our mission is simple: to connect artists, audiences, and communities. Every day, our website, NCWArts.org, helps local artists, musicians, and writers share their work with new audiences. Every month, readers across seven counties discover events, exhibitions, and stories through our ArtBeat maga-
zine and bilingual eNewsletter. And through our partnerships on Wenatchee First Fridays, participation in arts events has grown signifi cantly, bringing more creativity and energy into local businesses and public spaces.
Membership is vital to making this work possible. By joining or renewing, you are investing directly in opportunities for working artists and ensuring that arts resources remain accessible to all. Your support sustains vital platforms like the Artist Index, strengthens regional events, and helps nurture the next generation of creators.
In a time when arts funding is shrinking at the state and national levels, community support has never mattered more. Together, we can ensure that the Arts continue to fl ourish in North Central Washington — enriching lives, inspiring creativity, and weaving a stronger cultural fabric for us all.
Renew or join today at NCWArts.org — and don’t forget, your membership comes with a limited-edition sticker featuring the work of local artists! The winners of this year’s sticker design contest are in. Take a look on page 8!
FEATURED FIRST FRIDAYS EVENT:
A YEAR OF SOUND IN A SINGLE NIGHT
Acclaimed sound recordist, Nick McMahan, captures the ambient sounds of nature near Ancient Lakes.
For the September First Friday, the MAC Gallery presents “Nick McMahan: A Year of Sound Across the Pacific Northwest” from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 5.
Acclaimed nature sound recordist Nick McMahan’s curated soundscape of the Pacific Northwest can be heard in the Grove Recital Hall at Wenatchee Valley College. Over the course of 30 minutes, his composition orchestrates the breathtaking diversity in natural sounds throughout the seasons. The piece seamlessly loops back to the start, allowing participants to drop in at any point in the presentation.
McMahan is a nature field recordist based in Washington State. His work, capturing the sounds of nature, is complemented by his photography and storytelling. Drawn to nature as a source of solace and connection, Mc-
Mahan believes that understanding the natural world is essential to humanity’s survival.
His work has been featured on Apple TV’s Earthsound, Audible’s Sleep Sound (UK & CAN), and the awardwinning National Park documentary The Heart of Maui. He also serves as the Director of Quiet Trails for Quiet Parks International.
Also, in the MAC Gallery this month is “Seen: Figure Studies by Student Artists.” There will be a First Fridays artist reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The MAC Gallery is located on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street in Wenatchee.
To find more events around the Valley this month, visit the Events listings at ncwarts.org
THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION by Kasey Koski
In February 2024, with only four days to the deadline, I was alerted to a call for artists to create a site-specific sculpture at the Keweenaw National Historical Park in Upper Michigan.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am originally from Upper Michigan. I have also worked in local museums for the last decade. This public art project involving historical interpretation was right up my alley!
I couldn’t stop thinking about it for the next two days. My imagination was going crazy. On day three, I went for it and started to write. I wrote until I couldn’t find anything else to say. I edited and re-organized and shaped the text into the desired format as best I could. And then I held my breath and hit the send button. That happened to be the same day I started a new job.
But with a limited number of public projects on my résumé, I had my doubts
about being selected. But then came the call for an interview. And then another call came. I couldn’t believe it. I had been selected to collaborate with the park!
Estimating the cost of art installations is never easy. I’m new to this scale of project, but with the background of having served on the City’s Arts, Parks and Recreation Commission, I had a little insight into how the money part should go. Helpfully, the Keweenaw project had a starting budget for each year already set. I simply took that number and divided it in half, anticipating half for materials and production and the other half for my design time, travel and management of the project as a whole.
In summer 2024, I traveled to Michigan for a reconnaissance trip to kick things off, then returned home to develop the designs on my computer. I made contact with a fabrication shop in Michigan who
agreed to cut my designs out of Corten steel. Corten, which takes on a patina of rust that acts as a barrier against corrosion, was a conscious choice due to the rusting industrial wreckage already dotting the local landscape.
In September, I returned to Upper Michigan to oversee the installation. I was super nervous, but our installation went smoothly. The community support and positive feedback prove the project so far is a resounding success. So much so, the park decided to forgo an additional call for art in 2025 and has asked if I would like to continue this project throughout the 24 partner sites within the park! (Why, yes! I’d love to be the pet artist for a National Park!)
2025 brought the installation of five more figures. So far, each portion of the project has stayed within the budget constraints. My take home pay isn’t as much
as one might think, but it has covered what I need it to.
We are already starting design work and buying materials for 2026. I have proposed a larger installation to help tell the story of a specific industrial site within the park and the idea has once again aligned perfectly with what the park managers had wished to see in that location. I anticipate this project may continue for as long as we can find the funding to make it possible. There have been so many serendipitous encounters along the way with this project, I am in awe. I feel a steady pull from my roots that this is what I am supposed to be doing at this point in life.
If you would like to find out more about Kasey’s journey, check out Kasey’s blog“Creative Compulsive” - as well as additional photos from the Keweenaw National Historic Park on her website at kaseykoskiart.com
Two of the Corten steel sculptures by Wenatchee artist Kasey Koski recently installed at Keweenaw National Historic Park in Upper Michigan.
4. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Lee Smith, artist. Patric Thompson and Glenn Isaacson, musicians. Local wines.
5. Watercore 6-8 PM Aubrey Poole, origami artist. Live origami creation.
5-9 PM Ryan Ross, artist. $1 off starters or signature cocktails/mocktails. Mention First Fridays for up to $5 discount.
10. Art Alley @ Pybus 5-7 PM Sue Edick, artist. Lucky Break Boys, live music. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation.
Horan Estates Winery
Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM
glass pours.
Tasting
cocktail.
Winery The Ave 3-8 PM specials.
1. Horan Estates Winery 3-7 PM $2 off glass pours.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 4-7 PM
6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
Happy hour special: $5 flights of cider or beer.
4. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
5. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM
Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
1. Horan Estates Winery
$2 off glass pours.
American Shoe Shop PM Extended hours
SHOP DOWNTOWN
1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
Mercantile Day day pass for First Fridays.
FIRST FRIDAYS FEATURED EVENT:
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
5. Steam Panda 4-9 PM
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only.
2. Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
3. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM
$10 specialty cocktail.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
4. Watermill Winery on 5-8 PM Wine specials.
Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 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.
6. Cave Noire 4-10 PM
Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
3. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
1. Inspirations Ceramic & Art Cafe 5–8 PM
Glaze Pumpkin painting class. Ticket $5. Pottery sold separately.
2. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours.
3. Mercantile All Day
$10 day pass for First Fridays.
7. South @ Pybus 4-9 PM Cocktail special: Havana Sunset, a cocktail tribute to Cuban painter, Amelia Pelaez.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
4. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
5. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM
Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
6. Time Capsule 3-7 PM
Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
FIRST FRIDAYS GOES LIVE WITH MUSIC AT CENTENNIAL PARK
Nrock
the block for the First Fridays live concert series starting this Friday, Sept. 5.
From 7 to 8 p.m., Wenatchee’s Hands Above Stars brings their ever-evolving brand of progressive rock outside into the air after packing them in at Wally’s House of Booze a few weeks back.
Then, at 8 p.m., things get gritty and rebellious with Play with Fire, another Wenatchee band that categorizes their style as
“MUTT ROCK from the gutter of Central Washington.”
Wash it all down with beverages in the beer garden from Wenatchee Valley Brewing Co. Wenatchee First Fridays is made possible through a partnership between the Wenatchee Downtown Association, Visit Wenatchee and the NCW Arts Alliance.
To find out more or to list your monthly First Fridays events go to wenatcheefirstfridays.com.
Hands Above Stars Play With Fire
ON THE UPBEAT: ‘When the lights go out ... there’s nothing like it’
By Jamie Howell
It’s pronounced Art-Uh-Meedrus, according to Kris Lahd, band director, founder, guitarist and lead vocalist for Pink Floyd tribute band, Artemidorus.
Artemidorus was the Sigmund Freud of antiquity, a Greco-Roman interpreter of dreams who believed dreams actually provide glimpses of future events. And so it was that Lahd, sitting onstage in Leavenworth’s Snowy Owl Theater after a show in 2021, dreamt up the idea of forming a group that could deliver an experience true to his own childhood memories of the brooding 70s juggernaut. Lahd’s goal (which prompted no small amount of eye-rolling from his fellow musicians) was to perform Pink Floyd albums in their entirety, no stopping, as if the audience had simply dropped the needle onto a record, revealing the single, cohesive artistic statement that the band originally intended. And, of course, there had to be some lasers.
That dream, now a reality, returns for the third time to the place it first hatched - the campus of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts - on Saturday, Sept. 6, lasers and all.
We asked Lahd to reflect on the Pink Floyd experience he and his bandmates have now been delivering at concert venues across the state since 2023.
Artemidorus isn’t just a cover band—it’s a full Pink Floyd experience. What inspired you to bring this level of ambition and theatricality to your tribute performances?
Pink Floyd’s live shows were legendary. They were not only excellent musicians, they were performers and they cared about creating an unforgettable experience for the audience. Artemidorus tries to pay homage to this. The lights, lasers and stage films accentuate the musical performances.
Pink Floyd’s music is both technically complex and emotionally layered. What have been the biggest musical challenges—and rewards—of taking on their catalog?
We’ve learned a lot by diving into Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. Certain musical patterns have emerged that Pink Floyd utilized, but learning the Animals album bucked some of the patterns and has kept us on our toes. It’s a uniquely challenging album in that they were being a bit more
experimental than usual when writing and recording it.
Learning the music and parts is one thing, but it’s always a puzzle trying to figure out how to represent it in a live setting. There are many moving parts and if you’ve seen our shows, you can tell we are working hard up there to make it all happen.
When the lights go out and we begin playing those opening notes, there’s nothing like it. We can fall back on the wall of sound, it engulfs us like a blanket. It’s a very rewarding experience and we are grateful to experience it from on stage.
Artemidorus is made up of musicians from North Central Washington. How has the local music community shaped the band and helped it grow?
Elaine Eagle, Brad Petit, Brad Russell, Mark Doelman, Sean Williams, Debby Anderson, Rachel Powers, Erin McNamee and Kristina Webb are the current members of the band. There is a lot of talent in the Valley. We have been fortunate to have an unbelievable amount of support from members of the community, not only the fans who attend our shows and all of their kind words on social media, but from people who believe
in us and what we are doing; those who help us with our video production; others who donate space for our rehearsals; and supportive venues like Icicle Creek. We are very fortunate and grateful.
There’s a certain reverence that comes with playing music as iconic as Pink Floyd’s. How do you balance honoring the original sound with making the show your own?
Set lists and show flow can go a couple different ways. Our light and laser shows are not a copy of anything Pink Floyd did. We empower our lighting director and laser tech to showcase their creativity, as well.
Whether it’s someone’s first time hearing Floyd live—or their fiftieth— what do you hope audiences take away from an Artemidorus performance?
Sit back and enjoy the journey. It’s not a greatest hits show, it’s a voyage. Tap in… if you dare…
Tickets to see Artemidorus perform, Saturday, Sept. 6, on the Meadow Stage at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts can be found at icicle.org.
The Artemidorus laser show as seen from the air last year at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts’ Meadow Stage. (Drone images courtesy of Howell at the Moon Productions.)
EVENT SPOTLIGHT: WENATCHEE VALLEY 101: ARTS IN THE VALLEY
The Arts are up next in the Wenatchee Valley 101 series being presented by Our Valley, Our Future at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center on Friday, Sept. 12, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The goal of the series is to connect new residents and longtime locals alike with a better understanding of the community and region - including its history, culture, services, amenities - all while providing resources to help us all thrive in this beautiful place we call home.
A panel of local artists and arts organizers will spotlight the history of the Arts in the region, local art galleries, the Art on the Avenues outdoor sculpture exhibit, emerging mural projects and more.
The event is designed to allow time for socializing and networking as well as to connect with local arts nonprofits. Appetizers and beverages will be provided. Registration is $10 per person.
To register go to ourvalleyourfuture. org or visit ncwarts.org for links to this event and many more.
I
AIR PAINT-OUT
t’s time once again for the annual celebration of art and nature from Two Rivers Art Gallery - the Plein Air Paint-Out. This year’s theme is “River Wild” and will take place over two days, Sept. 20-21, along the banks of the Mighty Columbia near Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee.
The event is open to artists of all levels and participants will compete for cash prizes, with a public showing at Two Rivers Art Gallery in downtown Wenatchee. Nationally acclaimed plein air artist Rod Weagant will serve as this year’s Awards Judge as the artists race to complete their paintings by the 3 p.m. deadline on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Spectators are welcome to come watch as the original works take shape, according to the organizers, and possibly even take some fresh artwork home to beautify their walls. The event is made possible with the generous support of Icicle Fund and the Wenatchee Downtown Association. For full event details, cash awards and schedule visit the Two Rivers Gallery website at 2riversgallery.org.
To find more opportunities for artists, visit ncwarts.org
Metal art from Wenatchee artist Heather Dappen.
Painter Rod Weagant will serve as this year’s judge for Two Rivers Gallery’s annual Plein Air Paint-Out.
2025-26 NCW Arts Alliance
Sticker Winners Announced
This year’s membership stickers from NCW Arts Alliance are hot of the presses and feature the work of three local artists: Mike McKeogh, Nena Howell and Ron Evans. The winners, all of whom were selected by public vote, can all be found in the NCW Arts Artist Index available at ncwarts.org
Mike McKeogh
Nena Howell
Ron Evans