Sculpture takes stage at SFCC

An intimate collection of exceptional bronze sculpture is on view in the small Spokane Falls Community College Gallery of Art through Oct. 20.

The works, conceived by five of America’s leading contemporary artists, became reality at the Walla Walla Foundry, nestled at the base of the Blue Mountains in southeastern Washington.

The foundry, owned by Mark and Patty Anderson, started out 25 years ago in a converted auto garage. Today it boasts a highly skilled crew of 30, four buildings on four acres, computer modeling technology and an international reputation.

Sculpture in the SFCC show includes pieces by Terry Allen of Santa Fe, N.M.; the late Robert Arneson of Davis, Calif.; John Buck and Deborah Butterfield of Bozeman; and Jim Dine of New York City, Paris and Walla Walla.

“I enjoy my work immensely,” says Mark Anderson. “Our business is to supply a service for artists and we’re fortunate to have great artists to work for, so our castings go to museums throughout the world.”

Last fall when Dine had a 14-piece sculpture exhibition at Washington State University, he said that he began working with Anderson and the Walla Walla Foundry in 1983. He continues to return each year.

“It is very, very inspirational to have guys to work with that speak your language,” he said.

Anderson is in Spokane today to give a slide lecture beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the SFCC Student Union Building, Lounges AB, 3410 Fort Wright Drive.

A reception follows in the Fine Arts Department, Building 6. The show can be seen Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the Walla Walla Foundry go to www.wallawallafoundry.com, or check out “Extending the Artist Hand: Contemporary Sculpture from The Walla Walla Foundry” (Washington State University, $25). This history of the foundry is available from booksellers or by contacting gallery director Tom O’Day at 533-3710.

Hispanic voices

Anthropologist Antonio Sanchez of Seattle and artist Jacobo de la Serna of Albuquerque, N.M., will present a “lively program of songs and stories from the Hispanic Southwest” on Saturday at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, according to public relations coordinator Jill Strom.

De la Serna and Sanchez will share their experiences as members of the Penitentes, a Catholic brotherhood, and sing alabodos, sacred songs rarely performed in public.

The free program is Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Davenport Gallery at the museum, 2316 W. First Ave. Additional information and directions are available by calling 456-3931.

Clark’s Creations celebration

The Clark’s Creations Gallery in downtown Clark Fork, Idaho, is having a celebration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The gallery is celebrating that it will now be open all year. Featured artists include glass workers Mike Burks, Taneesha Smith and Kim Huender, and painter Catherine Clark.

The gallery is located at 217 W. 4th Ave. (Highway 200). For more information call (208) 266-0354 or e-mail clarkscreations@sandpoint.net

Billups’ impressions

Impressionistic oil painter Betty Billups is in the spotlight this month at Art Works Gallery in downtown Sandpoint.

The gallery, 214 N. First Ave., a cooperative venue of more than 60 local and regional artists, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Art Works is jurying artwork to add new members. For further information, call (208) 263-2642.

Rocket shows

Two Rocket Coffee Houses are displaying artwork by Inland Northwest artists through November.

“ Rocket on Garland, 903 W. Garland Ave., is showing former Spokane artist Thomas Bright’s “From Here to There.”

The series of 20 Polaroid emulsion lifts on glass and paper includes urban scenes of Spokane and Seattle, and Southwest landscapes.

“ Ruben Trejo’s “Chico Version of the Seven Stations of the Cross” is up at Rocket on Main, 24 W. Main Ave. The objects are mixed-media collages and metal sculptures.

Town and Country Art Tour

This weekend eight artists’ studios are part of the second “Town and Country Art Tour” showcasing the work of 38 artists.

Stop by the studios anytime on Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on Sunday between noon and 5 p.m. Maps are available at the William Grant Gallery, 820 W. Francis Ave.; call 484-3535 for details.

Artists and locations include:

“Darrell Sullens, oils; Patti Osebold, Japanese paper dolls and origami; Thelma Giampietri, pastels; Dian Zahner, watercolor; Amy Wharf, pottery; and Keiko Yon Holt, Sumi-e and watercolors, at 727 E. Wabash Ave.

“Ellen Baschke, oil painting; Hilda Bradshaw, pottery; Dixie Slaton and Renee Rigsby, watercolor; and Angelica Di Chiere-Hardin, oil, at 6011 W. Shawnee Ave.

“Vicki West, watercolor; Marsha Marcuson, acrylic, oil; Katie Densley, oil, watercolor, wire and cement sculpture; Sandra Hiller, sculpted leather; and Fabian Napolsky, watercolor, at 3321 W. Holyoke Ave.

“Fred Warren, pen and ink, acrylic, pencil; Carol Schmauder, watercolor; Anne Handler, oil pastel, colored ink; Debbie Hughbanks, acrylic, pastels; Janet Olson, collage, basketry; and Jan Moulder, handmade paper, at 2618 N. Wall St.

“Tom Chasse, photography; Lezlie Finet, pottery; Liz Bishop, pottery, handmade tiles, mixed media; Roy Forbes, acrylic on tile; Jan Juday, silk, mixed media, acrylic; and Janna Juday, photography, bead weaving, mixed media, at 5217 N. Cedar St.

“Irene Dahl, pastel and egg tempera; Kyle Peterson, hand-built pottery; Lydia Sproull, acrylic; Carolyn Haugen, watercolor; Molly Sims, oil and pencil, at 6017 N. F St.

“Voila Unger, watercolor; Paul Van Roy, pastel, acrylic; Bob Wiese, photography; Carlene Schwab, watercolor, pastel; and Patricia Garibay, blown glass, at 7315 N. Excell Drive.