Program Could Draw People To Downtown

“Second Fridays” is a new occasion drawn up to entice people to downtown Spokane and keep the arts flourishing within the city’s unique cultural environment there.

The event, on the second Friday of each month through August, will feature self-guided art tours. In August, the sounds of Summer Sizzle Concerts will provide music to walk by.

It’s hoped the streets of downtown on those Friday nights will be filled with people leisurely sauntering from one gallery to another, stopping at restaurants, specialty shops and watering holes, said Ron Horton, owner of Romeos Cafe.

Spokane’s downtown, with its historic architecture, encourages strolling, Horton said.

“Friday evenings during the beautiful summer months are great for spending an evening downtown,” he said.

Downtown Spokane Partnership will expand its program of Summer Sizzle Concerts on Wall Street for “Second Fridays,” and the Spokane Art Commission is coordinating the exhibits. Participating gallery owners and businesses will extend their hours from 5 to 9 p.m. on those days.

On Friday, 14 downtown locations, most within walking distance, will exhibit art shows:

Lorinda Knight Gallery, 523 W. Sprague; Hot Flash of America, 509 W. Sprague; the ART gallery, second floor of Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main; Douglas Gallery, 120 N. Wall; Romeos Cafe, 221 N. Wall; Geer Gallery, 8 S. Monroe; Colburn’s Gallery, 203 W. Riverside.

GAEA Natural Media Design, 826 W. Sprague; Dada Gallery, 110 S. Monroe; 2MT Gallery, 1131 W. First; Spokane Marketplace, 1202 W. First; Eldridge Antiques, 1325 W. First; Fugazzi Bakery on Monroe, 810 N. Monroe; and Chase Gallery at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (Post Street entrance).

In area art galleries

The artwork of Carolyn Gerhardt, a Seattle-area artist who specializes in oil paintings of wildlife and landscapes, will be on display through June at Twin Totems Art & Framing Gallery, 5117 E. Greenbluff Road in Colbert.

Ron Jenkins, a Montana artist, will also exhibit his acrylic wildlife and landscapes through May. His work has been used by major publications such as Readers Digest and National Geographic.

Jenkins designed the 1964-65 Federal Duck Stamp, the 1980 Montana Bird Stamp and the 1993 Rhode Island Trout Conservation Stamp.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

An exhibit of photos from the late 1800s to the 1930s representing the 12 bands of the Colville Confederated Tribes will be on display at the Colville Tribal Museum, 512 Mead Way in Coulee Dam.

The photos depict tribal people, basketry, and beaded regalia and bags.

“The exhibit offers an opportunity to examine our collection that tells of the unique history of our people,” said Cheryl Grunlose, tribal museum manager. “Our photos, mural, paintings and diorama tell of our way of life before the damming of the Columbia River.”

An opening reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the museum.

Museum hours for the ongoing exhibit are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The 1998 Studio Art Thesis Exhibition opens Friday at Whitman College’s Sheehan Gallery in Walla Walla.

Artists are Chad Gray, Nate Herth, Heidi Jones-Thomas, Jamie Oberloh, Sarah Philipps and Rachel Reckord.

An opening reception will be at 7 p.m. Friday. Regular gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.