Hara abstracts explore loss

Keiko Hara explores universal feelings common to the human condition in her exhibition that opens Friday at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

Hara uses the “language of art to describe feelings that accompany radical life transitions caused by separation, loss and psychological isolation,” said Portland art writer Lois Allen in an essay for the exhibition.

“Her beautiful abstract artworks are poetic manifestations of her wish to bridge the gap between the physical world and the inner world of meditation where the physical becomes the spiritual,” Allen wrote.

Hara is in town today to talk about her work at a free lecture beginning at 6 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium, 2316 W. First Ave. A reception follows.

Born in North Korea of Japanese parents, Hara grew up in Japan before coming to the United States and settling in Walla Walla. For nearly 20 years she has lived at the foot of the Blue Mountains making art and teaching at Whitman College.

The exhibition includes paintings and two large installations. The centerpiece is a grand-scale installation, “Topophilia – Imbuing/Seasons,” which consists of four houselike structures with rice paper walls. Hara collaged layers of paper with sayings in different languages that depict basic physical conditions of hot, wet, dry and cold.

“Keiko Hara works with ideas about what we have in common as human beings,” said museum registrar Valerie Wahl. “My sense is that this exploration is in reaction to the devastating consequences that arise when we, humans, focus on our differences.”

Hara exhibits her work regularly in Chicago, Seattle and Portland. Her pieces can be found in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Bellevue Art Museum, Detroit Institute of Art, Portland Art Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum. She is represented by the Lorinda Knight Gallery in Spokane.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 16. Regular museum admission applies.

Glass on the Grass

Once again the Glass on the Grass festival returns to the Arbor Crest Cliff House this weekend with live music, wine tasting, a light lunch and awe-inspiring views of the Spokane Valley.

The two-day festival began 11 years ago at Manito Park and moved to its present panoramic setting nine years ago, said event coordinator Conrad Bagley.

“This year we’re doing lots of demonstrations in both glass blowing and lampworking,” he said.

Almost 40 artisans will be selling individually made glass pieces including stained glass objects, fused jewelry, blown goblets and prismatic crystal sculptures.

The free event runs between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Because Arbor Crest is offering free wine tasting, attendance is limited to those 21 and older. Food is available from Catered for You.

To reach Arbor Crest Wine Cellars at 4703 N. Fruithill Road, take the Argonne Avenue Exit 287 off I-90 and head north. After crossing over the Spokane River, turn right on Upriver Drive, proceed one mile and then bear left onto Fruithill Road. Make a sharp right turn at the top of the hill. For more information call (509) 927-9463 or go to www.arborcrest.com.

William Grant Gallery

Four experienced artists are part of the show opening Saturday at the William Grant Gallery in north Spokane.

The featured artists for the next four weeks are painters Emma Randolph and Viola Unger, potter Lezlie Finet and mixed media artist Judy Juday.

Randolph is bringing a selection of her signature, exquisite floral watercolors. Unger’s paintings include landscapes, animals and flowers. Finet’s fascination with the unpredictability of the raku firing process is reflected in the decorative objects she’s showing.

Juday has a variety of mixed media prices on display. Currently she is incorporating beads, threads and wire into her silk paintings.

“My inspirations come mostly from nature,” she said in her artist statement, “but sometimes a perfect piece of handmade paper, or a phrase in a book I’m reading will inspire a new idea.”

Meet the artists during a reception on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. at the gallery, 820 W. Francis Ave. The show is up through Sept. 11.

Photography at Pacific Flyway

During August, Pacific Flyway Gallery is focusing on photography with its show “Taking a Closer Look.”

Tom Guess of Spokane is in the spotlight with his color images of old towns and landscapes.

Also on view are wildlife and flower photographs by Gary Kok, scenic views by Sheron Ruffner, Mount Rainier images by Nathan Huetis and photographic transfers by Karen Ocheltree.

An artist’s reception is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the gallery, 313 E. Sprague Ave.

Kettle Falls Folk Fest

A free Folk Fest at the Kettle Falls Historical Center begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and continues through the afternoon. There’ll be live music, gold panning demonstrations and an antique rifle display.

In the gallery is a Community Art Show with acrylic and oil paintings, drawings, photography, pottery and sculpture.

The center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located 3.5 miles west of Kettle Falls on Highway 395 at St. Paul’s Mission Road. Call (509) 738-6964 for more information.

Watercolors at Liberty Café

Rebecca Smith grew up living in a 150-year-old farmhouse in rural Maryland where her mother taught her how to draw.

“Mother still lives in that old house,” said Smith, “and she is always taking pictures of interesting subjects she thinks I might like to paint.”

One of those photographs was of a simple pot of geraniums on her back porch. Smith captured the mood of a late afternoon in spring with subtle transparent watercolors. It is included it in her first solo show on exhibit in the Liberty Café, adjacent to Auntie’s Bookstore.

Smith’s 19 enchanting paintings are up through August. The cafe, 404 W. Main Ave., is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Werner at St. Maries gallery

Stop by the St. Maries Art Gallery to see Frank Werner’s hand-carved duck decoys and photography.

Recognized as a master carver and photographer, Werner is a 2004 recipient of the Idaho Governor’s Award in the Arts.

Werner’s work is up through September. The gallery, 827 Main St., is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (208) 245-3417 for directions.

Other galleries

• Each Saturday during the month of August, Art Works Gallery, 309 N. First Ave. in Sandpoint, is having artist demonstrations. On Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m., Sue Kohut will show how she weaves scarves, shawls and blankets from alpaca fibers.

• Carolyn’s on Fifth, 200 Fifth Ave. in Metaline Falls, Wash., is showing Shari May’s paintings during August. May’s theme is “On the Way – A Journey of Life.” The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Call (509) 446-2100 for directions.

• “A Touch of Asia” is on display at the Flour Mill Art Gallery, 621 W. Mallon Ave., through Aug. 31.

• A “Papier Mache Exhibit” with works by the Northwest Papier Mache Artists Guild and other artists is showing at The Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St. in Coeur d’Alene, through Dec. 31.

• An exhibit of “Samurai Prints” is on view through Oct. 30 at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center, 228 W. Third Ave., Moses Lake. The Japanese woodblock prints by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi depict an incident involving a group of samurai in 1703. Call (509) 766-9395 for directions and more information.