Artists light up Broadway for sale

In true grassroots fashion, Art on Broadway was not conceived in a boardroom with a list of rules but in Bert McCollum’s shower, where a light bulb appeared over her head and she thought “why not?”

Her business, Shear Illusions, has plenty of surrounding grounds on a busy corner at Argonne Road and Broadway Avenue in Spokane Valley and she knows plenty of creative people, including artist and hairstylist Debbie McCulley. The duo then got to work, putting together the first Art on Broadway event scheduled for Saturday. “There are so many artists wanting to find a venue to sell their work,” McCulley said, “Things have fallen into place nicely.”

With no application forms to fill out and only a minimal fee, more than 30 artists jumped on board to peddle their creations – some beginners and others seasoned. McCulley and McCollum recruited some artists that have never been able to do a show due to lack of inventory and the risk of higher fees to participate. Some booths have two to three artists.

Arlene Mork is sharing a booth with her daughter-in-law Kathy Mork. Both artists rarely show. Arlene has been painting for years. She has studied with some of the area’s best, and though she calls herself primitive compared with other artists, she is simply her own worst critic. “I do it for no other reason than I love it,” she said. “I enjoy it most when people’s memories are jogged when viewing my work.”

Kathy Mork will be displaying her assemblages made from polymer clay, metal, glass, paper, stamps and paint on canvas or wood. A full-time grandmother, she has shown a few times and sells well, but her busy schedule does not allow her much time to create. “I want to put feeling into it. I want to tell a story,” she said. “I don’t just throw it together; I wait patiently until I have the time.”

A nurse for the past 20 years, Gina Corkery has been out of work for about a year. That’s when she started painting with watercolors. “As a nurse, I saw a lot of sadness and I needed something to restore my own hope,” she said. In the past year she has painted more than 100 pieces. “It sort of began as ‘this is what I have to do.’ “ The pieces are dreamy, peaceful and powerful.

McCollum will be selling her “BoHo chic” tie-dye designs that include wraps and fitted tops. McCulley will exhibit her paintings, cards, coasters and magnets. There will be mosaics, wearable art, handbags and jewelry, embellished boxes, sculptures and garden art, unique dolls, hand-turned bottle stoppers, more paintings and prints, pizza for purchase and free parking about a block away (look for signs.)

The event also incorporates the salon element with a massage therapist and esthetician offering information and specials. “We love promoting our friends and supporting the art community,” McCulley said.