Spokane Transit turns Plaza into Winter Arts Village

Spokane Transit Authority is transforming the second floor of The Plaza into a Winter Arts Village this weekend.

The idea: To turn the downtown bus center into a mini-arts festival.

It all came about because STA intern David Rossman-Robinson, a senior at Eastern Washington University, wanted to come up with a creative way to “incorporate art into public transit facilities.”

“We want to bring in people who go to the region’s other arts events, like ArtFest and Art on the Green,” said Rossman-Robinson.

There will be at least nine booths with 12 artists, demonstrating and selling their wares. Three galleries – Gallery of Thum, the Brick Wall Photographic Gallery and Art, Music and More – will be featured.

And for the kids, there will be an appearance by a costumed holiday character, the Snow Queen, on Saturday at noon. Children’s art activities will continue until 2 p.m.

In addition, there will a performing area, with a lineup of music and dance performances:

• Garry Burris, acoustic guitar, Friday, 5 p.m.

• Joanne Burris and Karen Herfurth, instrumental Christmas music, Friday, 6 p.m.

• Baharat, Middle Eastern and African dancing, Friday, 7 p.m.

• Todd Milne, bamboo flute music, Saturday, noon

• An Daire Irish Dancers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

• Ken Davis, acoustic guitar music, Saturday, 6 p.m.

• Laddie Ray Melvin, contemporary folk, Sunday, 3 p.m.