Visual Arts: Easy to find Wisdom in spiritual sculptures
Paul Wisdom’s Asian-influenced sculptures bring a meditative feel to the Artisans’ Wares gallery in downtown Spokane.
“There is a sense of spirituality to Paul’s work,” says gallery owner Debbie Brown. “His pieces have beautiful simplicity and design.”
“I read a lot of ancient Chinese poetry,” says Wisdom. “Bamboo is very prevalent in Asian literature and culture.”
The Deary, Idaho, artist, who has traveled to China three times, uses a Zen approach to life and his art.
“Less is better,” he says.
Wisdom finishes his steel bamboo objects with a variety of patinas and often incorporates wood, stone and cloth.
His functional art includes tables, lights, prayer wheels and meditation gongs.
The work is center stage at Artisans’ Wares, 1009 W. First Ave., through Sept. 22. Stop by on First Friday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (509) 456-6030.
‘River of Memory’ at MAC
Under way at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is “River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia.”
More than 60 historical photographs capture views of an unrestrained Columbia River before 1933 and the onslaught of dam building.
The exhibit follows the journey of migrating salmon from the mouth of the river at the Pacific Ocean to its source in eastern British Columbia.
Salmon images and the words of both early naturalists and current poets complement the photos.
“ Exhibit curator William Layman will give a one-hour lecture, “Developing Whole River Understandings: The Columbia River Through Time,” at 6 p.m. on Sept. 13 in the museum auditorium, 2316 W. First Ave.
Following his talk, Layman will sign his book, “River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia,” during a reception in the museum’s exhibit space.
This event is $7 for adults, $5 for students/seniors.
“”A Litany of Salmon,” an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Eileen Klatt, opens Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. in the Orientation Gallery.
The 61 life-size watercolor portraits represent the salmon that have become extinct in the Columbia and Snake rivers.
According to Klatt, the series “is an invocation to the millions of salmon that once thrived in the Columbia River Basin.”
Klatt will give an informal talk at 5:30 p.m.
The MAC is open by donation during First Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. The Orientation Gallery is open free to the public during regular museum hours.
Other MAC happenings
“The blockbuster “A T. rexNamed Sue” is in its final days at the museum.
The “Summer of Sue,” featuring the fully articulated, life-sized cast of The Field Museum’s star dinosaur, ends Sunday.
“Also ending Sunday is Nathan Orosco’s “Peril” exhibit in the Orientation Gallery.
“Up through Sept. 16 is “If the Shoe Fits,” a display that explores a variety of shoes from the past 200 years, from couture sling backs to winter galoshes.
“Still running is “The Voice of Things: The Museum’s Collections,” with works from all four of the MAC’s major collecting areas: Archives, History, American Indian and Art. The selected objects create a visual narrative of the Inland Northwest’s identity.
Milam studio opens
Artist Donzell Milam is having a grand opening of his studio at 120 N. Wall St. on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
There will be music on both evenings along with free “live sketches” from 6 to 7 p.m., first come, first serve.
Milam specializes in graphite drawings and watercolors of animals, landscapes and architectural scenes.
Timber Stand Gallery
More than 25 renditions of famous artists by Hope, Idaho, artist Gary Kaemmer will be on display Sept. 8 to 15 in Sandpoint’s Timber Stand Gallery.
“Gary has spent the last few years painting such masters as Georges Rouault, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh and Willem de Kooning in their styles,” says gallery owner Jim Quinn in an e-mail.
The gallery, 225 Cedar St. in Sandpoint, is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call at (208) 263-7748 or go online to www.timberstand.com.