Sta Plaza One Of The Stops On Spring Visual Arts Tour
April showers notwithstanding, large and small splashes of art brighten up Spokane this month.
On Friday from 5-9 p.m., the second Spokane Visual Arts Tour of the year promises 32 stops and easier-than-ever bus transportation. Plunk down a buck at the Bus Shop on the second level of the STA Plaza downtown, and your ticket allows you to hop on and off two buses on the Art Tour Loop.
“Last tour we had three packed buses,” said Ralph Busch, outreach coordinator for the Spokane Arts Commission. “When one would stop, the receiving location was just overwhelmed by the influx of people. With this ‘hop’ system, we hope for a more even distribution of people, and tour-goers will also be able to see more stops.
“The tour is growing as an event, and this is one of the ways we can accommodate the growth,” Busch said.
The Plaza is one of the art sites this time, featuring the work of young artists and musicians from Spokane Public School District 81. “‘Art on Parade’ celebrates the arts in education,” said Busch. “We also hope to cultivate a new Art Tour audience of students and their parents. Everybody wins when you crossover audiences.”
Back by popular demand, walking tours led by history buffs will depart from the Metro Mall, 922 W. Sprague, to hoof around the alleys and structures of Carnegie Square and Davenport historical districts. Wear comfy shoes and ask all the questions you want.
On the skywalk level at Old City Hall, 221 N. Wall, check out the unusual landscapes by self-taught 77-year-old artist Harvey Kuhn. Did you think oil and water don’t mix? A veteran furniture refinisher, Kuhn developed a way to combine acrylic paints with oil pigments.
According to Busch, Kuhn’s exhibit complements the “outsider art” show at Cheney Cowles Museum. CCM’s “The Radiant Object” display runs through June 1; Kuhn’s is a one-night stand.
Lorinda Knight Gallery, 523 W. Sprague, booked local artist Richard Schindler to fill the handsome space with his “Subconscious Surfaces” - assemblages of materials we thought we knew. His show opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. on tour night, and it continues through April 26.
Looking for treasure? You might find it in Carnegie Square’s Hot Flash of America, 112 S. Cedar, and neighboring Eldridge Antiques. Featured artists include Paul Gregg and Carlos Lagos.
Along the Spokane River’s north bank you’ll see that Gay Waldman’s sense of discovery is perking at MadKat Gallery in the Flour Mill, 621 W. Mallon. She’s been playing in her darkroom again, getting 3D effects by enhancing 2D photographs. Over at Gonzaga’s Jundt Art Museum, you get three art exhibits in one beautiful building. The main gallery features wood-fired ceramics by J. Daniel Murphy and the “Student Annual” through April 19. In the Arcade Gallery, enjoy Robert Doisneau’s photographs until May 10.
A wee bit southwest of downtown, the art gallery at Eastern Washington University invites you to a reception from 5-8 p.m. to open “Imagination & Objects: Constructions in steel w/color,” made by Roger Ralston. This exhibition continues through April 27.
The Visual Arts Tour is a self-guided tour, and maps are available at any of the 32 participating locations. Call 625-6050 for more information.
Art auction benefits children
An art auction that benefits the Scottish Rite Centers for Childhood Language Disorders will be held on April 20 from 1-5 p.m. at the Spokane Masonic Temple, 1108 W. Riverside.
Well worth the $5 admission just to see the variety of work, this event could turn you into a collector fast. Up for bid are paintings from a liquidated Oregon gallery, turn-of-the-century European oil paintings, artwork from the old Shriner’s Hospital, and wildlife art by Carl Brenders and Robert Bateman.
The preview is from 10 a.m. to noon. Tickets are available at the door and several area locations; call 448-9584 for more information.
Inland whale watch
The work of marine artist John Jennings will be featured at the Inland Northwest Pollution Prevention Expo at the Spokane Convention Center on April 29-30. Jennings will be on hand to sign prints of underwater and whale scenes. For more information, call 326-6885.