Season’s finest

The spirit of the season sparkles across the Inland Northwest with numerous holiday fine art shows and artists’ open studios.

Spokane Art School’s Yuletide fair kicks off tonight with its 25th annual gala opening.

“This is the time of year when the art school puts away its crayons and paints and decks itself for the season,” says Janet Sahlin, Yuletide organizer. “Yuletide provides an opportunity for some of the region’s finest artists to show off the fruits of their labor.”

The annual holiday event is also a fund-raiser for the art school, helping to underwrite visual arts classes, community outreach and scholarships.

Along with the 47 artists who have booths, there is a “Regional Showcase” in the Huneke Gallery featuring 11 of the area’s top veteran art-makers: glass blower Steve Adams; sculptor Harold Balazs; fiber artists Alex Biggs and Louise Kodis; potters Rosemary Coffman, Marie Harcus and Jill Smith; silversmith Peter Jagoda; painter Mel McCuddin; jeweler Jody Sahlin; and neon mixed media artist Ken Yuhasz.

“We are delighted to have these great artists participating in our silver anniversary event,” says Sahlin.

Those attending tonight’s opening party between 5 and 9 p.m. have first choice on all the original work for sale. The event includes music, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Cost is $35 ($30 for Art School members); call 328-0900 to reserve tickets.

Yuletide continues on Friday and runs through Sunday, free to the public, with art demonstrations each day. The schedule: Friday: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Deborah O’Shaughnessy, ceramics; 1-2:30 p.m., Susan Fergusson, silk screening. Saturday: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Renee Rahn, natural fiber dolls; 1-2 p.m., Kim Huender, glass fusing; 3:30-4:30 p.m. Kurt Madison, metal clay. Sunday: 11 a.m.- noon, Alice Nelson, pine needle basketry.

In addition to Yuletide, a number of popular Spokane artists are having holiday open studio sales, including glass blower Adams, ceramist Virginia Carter and painters MariAnne Figgins, Stan Miller, L.R. Montgomery, Ildiko Kalapacs and Kay O’Rourke.

Visitors to the artists’ studios will find more than original artwork – there are enticements like hot apple cider and homemade holiday cookies.

“It’s a tradition for me to bake my special hot cinnamon rolls,” says O’Rourke. “I think it’s important to give people a little something extra for coming out to my studio.”