Ring in spring with ‘Our Favorite Things’

Spectrum Studio, an unassuming cottage gallery in a residential area on Spokane’s South Hill, is the perfect bucolic backdrop to this eclectic spring show.

“Our Favorite Things” features work by 10 Pacific Northwest artists that reflects “fun of creation and novel expression,” says gallery director Jim Tatman.

Each of the artists uses different aesthetic techniques that result in a variety of expressions.

Joanne Tatman, a print maker and co-owner of the gallery, has recently moved into creating wearable art including uniquely embellished pins and pendants.

“A lot of people are doing beading right now,” she says, “and I thought it would be fun to incorporate glass beads and charms with paper and yarn.”

Other Washington artists include Elaine Barth of Cheney; Marjorie Benander, Maura Flood and Kathy Simmons from Spokane; and Gretchen Ehrsam, Lisa Snow Lady and April Richardson from Seattle.

Idaho artists are Maryjo McGraw of Post Falls and Debra Valoff from Hayden Lake.

Richardson, formerly of Spokane, will demonstrate her mixed-media monotype print process during the three-day open house.

The studio, 33 W. 34th Ave., will be open on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Call (509) 747-5267 for directions or go online to www.spectrum-art.com for more information on the artists. The work is on view through June 15.

Colfax ‘Meet the Artist’

Figurative artist Wendy Zupan Bailey of Spokane will present her work in the Colfax Arts Council’s Meet the Artist series next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Whitman County Colfax Library.

Bailey will bring several of her “Euro Whimsical” art dolls to show, including some in-process, and will talk about what inspires her creations, says Ann Marra of the Colfax Arts Council.

Meet the Artist will conclude its 2006-2007 season with Bailey’s presentation and will begin the next series with Dave Ostrom, wildlife photographer, in October.

The event is free and open to the public at the library, 102 S. Main St. in Colfax. For more information call (509) 397-4366.

Budding ‘ARTists’

Young artists from Orient, Inchelium and Valley Schools will be showing their artwork beginning Tuesday at the Stevens County Historical Society in Colville.

“ART: Artists Reaching Towards Tomorrow” will run through May. A reception for the student artists is May 11 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

The show is coordinated by the Orient/ Inchelium/Valley Arts Consortium. The gallery, 700 N. Wynne St., is open daily from 1 to 4 p.m.

For information call (509) 684-5968 or go online to www.stevenscountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Moses Lake Museum

“Washington Schoolhouses,” a traveling exhibit from the Washington State Historical Society, is on view at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center through June.

“It is often said that the schoolhouse followed the flag,” states a museum news release, “but in Washington schools preceded American settlement. Spokane Garry established a school for Indians about 1830 near Spokane, built of poles covered with reed mats.”

At first, schools were held in settlers’ homes; later, in barns, one-room log cabins or small frame buildings.

The center is located at 228 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

For information call (509) 766-9395 or see www.mlrec.com/museum.html.

Palouse ‘Socius’

The Palouse Potters and Watercolor Socius Show begins Friday with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eastside Marketplace, 720 S. Blaine St. in Moscow, Idaho.

Participating artists include Jeanne Wood, Jeanne Wallace, Jan Vogtman, Tim Turk, Malcolm Renfrew, Anne Pekie, Judy Mousseau, Nancy Morris, Kay Montgomery, Ryan Law, Carol Krull, Hip Klelfner, John Kirkland, Cheryl Halverson, Carolyn Guy, Lizette Fife, Elyse Cregar, Peggy Conrad, Katherine Clancy, Patricia Bussanich, Judy Brand, Donna Bradberry, Nick Bode, Betty Benson and David Ball.

The show runs Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays through May 5 from noon to 6 p.m. Hours on May 6 are noon to 2 p.m.

Other galleries

“Final bidding on art items in the seventh annual “Art Transplant Sale” is today between 3 and 4 p.m. at Bonner General Hospital, 520 N. Third Ave. in Sandpoint. Proceeds will support framing and purchasing of art to decorate the walls at the hospital. For more information call (208) 265-1123.

“The “Great Spokane Art Party” on Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. will benefit Blue Prints for Learning, a nonprofit child care program.

Held at The Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave., the event features the work of 15 local artists including Ken Spiering, Harold Balazs, Kay O’Rourke, Olivia Waterman, Peter and Kit Jagoda, Charles Gurche, Amy Wharf and Heidi Arbogast.

Tickets are $50. For more information call (509) 777-0857 or visit www.cbccspokane.org.