First Friday: Bundle up and enjoy a variety of art styles for First Friday
It’s December’s First Friday, so kill two turtle doves with one stone tonight by enjoying local art openings while also getting your shopping done.
At a time when photography always implies “digital,” Bill and Kathy Kostelec’s Eighth Annual Holiday Open House is a rare opportunity to tour a traditional darkroom and shed light on an old school craft. The Kostelecs, owners of Cherry Street Studios, will show new works from their recent travels to the Eastern Sierra area of California, including the starkly beautiful Death Valley. Using antique cameras and time-honored methods, both floors of the Kostelecs’ vintage home are filled with newly framed photos, past favorites, unique bookmarks, and Spokane-themed card sets, including nostalgic views of the Art Deco Fox theater and Coeur d’Alene Park. Show opens Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and continues on Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 1123 S. Cherry Street, (NE corner of 12th St. and Cherry).
Japanese-born artist and calligrapher Keiko Von Holt, who specializes in the Asian-style of watercolor painting known as Sumi-e, opens her show “Ink Drops” at Avenue West Gallery. The award-winning Von Holt, who is inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, has exhibited in galleries and museums in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. During Friday’s reception, the artist will even write your name on a mat board in Japanese Hiragana for you to take home. Friday’s reception is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 907 W. Boone Ave.
The Kolva-Sullivan Gallery hosts Megan Martens-Haworth’s new show, “Bringing It Home.” Through oil paintings and charcoals, the award-winning painter and Spokane Falls Community College professor examines her love affair with her home state of Montana and its wildlife. She focuses on the plight of creatures living with man-made pollution in the belief that people appear to care more about animals than the lives of people affected by climate change. Opening reception is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 115 S. Adams.
From the Kolva-Sullivan, do not miss stopping next door at the Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery to take in its third annual “Cup of Joy” show. More than 30 professional ceramicists from all over the country and Canada have created their odes to the cup for you to enjoy and snag for holiday gift-giving. The show opens with a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and continues two more days, Saturday and Dec. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. 115 S. Adams.
V du V Wines will throw a tasty party and exhibit the oil-on-board paintings that local artist Karen Mobley has recently conjured. These larger format pieces depict the mysterious movement of light and shadow as they interact with the reflective surface of moving water. Music by local band Crushpad. The party goes from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 12 S. Scott St.
Down at Kendall Yards, Core Pilates and Wellness studio will host an Artisan Festival featuring works by acrylic painter Oksana Tepp and ceramicist Peter Glarborg, as well as handmade jewelry, lavender products and woolen goods. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1230 W. Summit Parkway.
Just down the street at Mom’s Custom Tattoo, author Melanie Rose Huff of Chewelah will celebrate the launch of her latest book, “A Phantasmagoria” with illustrations by local tattoo artist Traci Manley. Both the writer and the illustrator will be on hand for a short talk at 7 p.m. at Mom’s, where Manley works and has other pieces on display. Reception is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1226 W. Summit Parkway.
Guitar-builder Joel Stehr picks up a paintbrush when he’s not caressing a musical instrument. While at Kendall Yards, stop by to see his moody paintings at Craftsman Cellars from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1194 W. Summit Parkway.
Behold the humor, pain, and beauty behind the two dozen or so talented artists of Saranac Art-Projects as they launch their Small Works Sale this Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Community Building’s gallery at 35 W. Main Ave.
Like steampunk? Prefer mermaids? Bridge Press Cellars will exhibit a mixed media collaboration series combining both elements by Audreana Camm and Heather Fanara. The Emily Rose band will perform. From 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Marketplace Winery and Tasting Room at 39 W. Pacific Ave.
The postcard-worthy photos by Spokane-based photographer Nathan Huestis range from scenes of the Cascade peaks to the Palouse. The effortless looking nature shots require long hikes and hours of waiting for ideal conditions. You can see them at Liberty Ciderworks from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 164 S. Washington.
It’s not a First Friday event and it’s not free, but we think the first-ever NW Museum of Arts and Culture’s Holiday Artist Studio Tour on Saturday deserves a mention. The MAC has rounded up six local artists — ceramicist Liz Bishop, multimedia painter Melissa Cole, photographer Dean Davis, oil painter Kay O’Rourke, painter Darcy Lee Saxton and batik artist Nicholas Sironka — who are opening their private studios for a special public look-in. The $10 studio tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a special wine tasting event for another $10 at the newly opened Maryhill Winery tasting room in Kendall Yards from 4-6 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the MAC through Friday, or at three participating studios the day of (see www.northwestmuseum.org for list).